Normal monsoon expected in Karnataka

The southwest monsoon is expected to be normal this season across Karnataka due to favourable atmospheric conditions evident from excess rainfall during the last 10 days, a meteorological official said here Monday.

"The atmospherical conditions are good for normal monsoon this season, which will last till September," regional meteorological director B. Puttanna told IANS.

"As the southwest monsoon had been active since it set in neighbouring Kerala and advanced into the coastal and south interior regions of the state, the rainfall had been above normal," he added.

Since June 1, the state has received 75 mm rainfall, which is 45 percent more than normal in the coastal districts and the Western Ghats region. Rains were also widespread in the south interior and north interior parts of the state.

"However, Chamarajnagar, Chickmagalur and Kodagu districts had less rain. If the monsoon remains active over the next couple of weeks, more rains are expected to make up for any deficit in isolated regions of the state," Puttanna said.

Deficit monsoon and a prolonged dry spell during the monsoon season last year led to severe drought in the state, resulting in water levels dipping to lowest in reservoirs and catchment areas.

"Indications so far are that monsoon rains will be normal this year with prospects of excess rainfall in coastal and the Western Ghats due to low pressure and positive wind movement," the official said.

With the monsoon setting in on time, farmers have taken up sowing operations in those areas where rains have been widespread and above normal.

"Sufficient quantities of seeds and fertilisers have been stocked in the districts for distribution to farmers. Sowing is in full swing in about 30 percent of the areas where rains have been widespread and the rest of the state will be covered by August as the monsoon advances into central and northern districts of the state," state Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said in the legislative assembly earlier Monday.

The state government has formed vigilant teams to check the quality of seeds and fertilisers and prevent sale of spurious seeds and other farm inputs.