With barely any rains in October in Karnataka, according to State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, it has been the driest October in the last 45 years.
Over the past few days, temperatures have hovered at around 32 degrees Celsius, which is three degrees above normal for this time of the month, reported Bangalore Mirror.
According to Director of KSNDMC, Dr GS Srinivasa Reddy, the state was to receive about 128 mm of rainfall in October, however, it has received only 28mm rainfall. This measure is the lowest in the last 45 years. October was also considered to be one of the driest months last year.
“In future, this trend will only increase. The expected rainfall every month will only be a dream as it would not rain much owing to frequent changes in the climate system,” Reddy said.
“Usually by this time, Karnataka would have witnessed two to three cyclones. But this year, there is not even one which has brought considerable rains. By October 15, the South West monsoon should have withdrawn, paving the way for the North-East monsoon. But the depression over the Bay of Bengal has spoiled everything as it has attracted all the moisture carrying clouds,” he said.
The depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to delay the onset of the North-East monsoon is likely to be delayed by two to three months.
“By now, Karnataka should have seen the North-East monsoon. But due to the sudden depression, it has been delayed by 15-20 days. It is likely to rain in the first week of November. Due to this, the average temperature in October has shot up by 2 to 3 degrees centigrade. While it used to be 29 to 30 degrees centigrade, these days, we are witnessing mercury levels touching 32 degrees centigrade,” he said.
The meteorologists had predicted a rainless Deepavali due to weakening Kyant cyclone effect.