Monsoon to hit Karnataka 4 days earlier due to cyclone Yaas

Bengaluru: Southwest monsoon is expected to arrive at least four days early this time in Karnataka. It was earlier supposed to arrive in the first week of June.

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) stated that the commencement of monsoon was projected for May 31 in Kerala and for June 3 or 4 in Karnataka. However, the new projections indicate that it could hit as early as May 31 or June 1 because of cyclone Yaas.

“Once the monsoon sets in, we can predict how it will advance further. It could be weak, active or sometimes vigorous”, said S S M Gavaskar, junior scientific officer from KSNDMC. Ideally, the monsoon lasts from June to September. Experts are predicting normal to above-normal rainfall this year. Gavaskar also said that this year, Karnataka has received more rainfall in the pre-monsoon period. “Coastal Karnataka and north-interior Karnataka are likely to experience above-normal rainfall this year whereas south-interior Karnataka is likely to receive normal amount of rainfall”, he said.

Monsoon rain will not be accompanied by thunder and lightning like that in pre-monsoon. However, the Met department is unsure of the impact of Yaas on the monsoon. CS Patil, director of the Indian Meteorological Department said, “There will be thundershowers only until monsoon completely sets in.”

“The windspeed will increase over the next few months. However, the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 30 and 20 degrees Celsius”, he added.