Karnataka saw 79 of 122 southwest monsoon days nearly dry

Karnataka’s southwest monsoon ended with 79 of its 122 days recording nil, near-nil or deficit rainfall, according to data from the State Revenue Department.

The uneven pattern came alongside a rainfall deficit and prolonged dry spells during critical stages of crop growth, making the monsoon especially damaging for agriculture and allied activities.

Rainfall deficit spread across most of the monsoon period

The southwest monsoon period in Karnataka runs from June 1 to September 30 and covers 122 days.

It is a crucial period for the State because it accounts for about 74% of Karnataka’s calendar year rainfall.

Of the 122 days, 31 recorded normal rainfall, while only 12 received rainfall beyond normal figures, the State Revenue Department data shows.

This means that 65% of the crucial southwest monsoon period went almost dry.

Karnataka received 551 mm of rainfall during the southwest monsoon, against the normal of 852 mm, resulting in a statewide deficit of 35%.

The poor and uneven rainfall adversely affected sowing, crop establishment and crop development across vulnerable areas.

Experts said the damage was caused not only by the total shortage of rain, but also by the long gaps between rainfall events.

Long dry spells affected crop growth

“What is important for agriculture and crop growth is not just the total quantum of rainfall during the entire monsoon period, but rainfall at regular intervals during different phases of crop growth,” said M.B. Raje Gowda, Agro Meteorologist and Visiting Professor at University of Agricultural Sciences-Bengaluru.

“Crops start wilting if the dry spell continues beyond 10 days,” he said.

Gowda said good rainfall for 50 to 52 days during the southwest monsoon is necessary for the healthy growth of crops.

The rainfall pattern therefore mattered as much as the seasonal total, particularly when dry spells continued through different stages of crop development.

Experts observed that the uneven distribution and prolonged dryness hit agriculture and allied activities very hard, resulting in huge crop losses.

Crop losses estimated at ₹46,323 crore

According to Gowda, poor rainfall combined with its uneven distribution was the main reason for the massive crop losses during the season.

Karnataka has estimated crop losses owing to drought in the kharif season at ₹46,323 crore.

The estimate includes agricultural crops as well as horticulture and spice crops.

Gowda explained that a drop in temperatures during July created high-pressure weather systems.

These systems dispelled the monsoon clouds away from the south and the north interior parts of Karnataka, resulting in dry spells and highly inadequate rainfall, he said.

Gowda, who has conducted various studies on monsoon patterns in Karnataka, said authorities should include the “distribution of rains” as a factor in the crop insurance scheme.

He said this would allow the impact of uneven rainfall distribution on crops to be compensated.

Source: The Hindu