Post-monsoon showers have failed for the third year along the coast

aaron, Sep 15, 2019, 8:38 AM IST

Mangaluru: Although the monsoon in the coast did not start well, it has been raining incessantly since the first week of August. If the rain continues to pour down so until the end of September, then a good post-monsoon shower is expected by the experts from the weather department.

The weather department calculates on how the post monsoon showers will be based on rain received until the middle of September month. However, the forecast by the department has turned topsy-turvy on itself. This time, it had predicted that the rainfall would be as per usual, but till now, 16 districts in the state have not yet received rains as per usual. The coast too has received less than usual rain and DK is already facing a lack of rain by 7%

Speaking based on the post monsoon rain expected between September month end to December, post monsoon showers have failed in DK and Udupi district since three consecutive years. DK has been facing a post monsoon shower deficiency of 67%, 31% and 3% in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively and Udupi district has faced a deficiency of 65%, 5% and 38% during the same period.

Areca nut is the prominent commercial crop in the twin districts and areca nut trees majorly depend on post monsoon showers for their yield. Manure is added to the plants by the end of September and the wait begins for the post monsoon showers. However, considering this year’s pre-monsoon showers, the farmers are scared. If the unpredictability of monsoon extends to post monsoon showers as well, then the cultivation may face trouble.

Water level in Netravati increases

In comparison to last year, the water level of Netravati river has risen slightly. Last year, as of Sep 5^th, the water level of the river recorded at Uppinangady was at 17 MTS. This year, it is at 25 MTS. But, Kumaradhara river’s water level, which was 17 MTS last year, stable at 17 MTS.

Less post monsoon rain in the state as well

Last year, all the districts in the state received less than usual post monsoon showers with an approx. deficiency of around 48%. Yadgiri district faced the highest lack of post monsoon rain of 85%.

Post monsoon showers is calculated based on the amount of rain received until the middle of September. This time’s pre-monsoon rain in the coast was not good. The first two months since the beginning of monsoon saw no rain. Heavy rains started from the first week of August – Sunil Gavaskar, KSNDMC scientist