Monsoon may hit Karnataka by May-end; IMD predicts above-normal rainfall this season

BENGALURU: Southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in Karnataka by May-end - much earlier than the usual early-June entry - and parts of the state may get above-average rainfall in the season. IMD officials announced the monsoon will set over Kerala by May 27 with an error margin of 3-4 days. "Normally, it takes four days for the monsoon to travel from Kerala to Karnataka. Hopefully, Karnataka will welcome the monsoon by May-end," said CS Patil, meteorologist, IMD, Bengaluru.Based on multiple models, IMD scientists forecast 20% excess rainfall over south-interior and parts of north-interior Karnataka districts. GS Srinivasa Reddy, former director of the state weather agency Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, said the monsoon has advanced into some parts of South Bay of Bengal, South Andaman Sea, and Nicobar Islands.There has been widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall reported for the past 48 hours, and it is likely to continue. These criteria correspond to the progress of monsoon towards peninsular India."Srinivasa Reddy said if there is a trough or upper-air circulation in the region, then the system would affect the progress of monsoon."Even if it weakens due to Westerlies or other systems, it will be delayed by 4-5 days and may enter Karnataka by June 1 or 2," he said.As per IMD, India is set for 104% excess rainfall during the monsoon period, Reddy said.IMD officials said there will be surplus rainfall over the southern parts and "satisfactory rainfall" in parts of North Karnataka region.