Monsoon activity weak in Kodagu after early onset, but forecast indicates a revival in days ahead

The early onset of southwest monsoon in Kodagu this year has been followed by a prolonged pause in rains, and the monsoon activity has been weak in June so far.

According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), the cumulative rainfall in Kodagu from June 1 to 13 was 84 mm, 43% below normal.

This is in sharp contrast to the pre-monsoon pattern in the district when Kodagu received 750 mm of rainfall, which was 207% above normal. But the pre-monsoon figures from March 1 to May 31 is skewed on the higher side this year due to the early onset of southwest monsoon.

Though a red alert was issued for Friday, the rainfall is scattered and weak, according to the KSNDMC, while heavy to very heavy rain is forecast in the days ahead indicating a revival of monsoon activity in south interior Karnataka. A red alert has been issued for Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga on Saturday till 8.30 a.m.

Kodagu district has received 12.14 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour period ending 8.30 a.m. on Friday. Bhagamandala, the birth place of the river Cauvery, in Madikeri taluk received 35.8 mm of rainfall during the same period, while Sampaje received 24.5 mm.

Shanthalli in Somwarpet taluk recorded 33 mm of rainfall, while in the remaining places of the district, it was light to moderate and ranged from 2 mm in Kushalnagar to 18.8 mm at Hudikeri in Ponnampet tauk.

The cumulative rainfall in other districts in south interior Karnataka, including Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru, indicates shortfall.

While Mysuru has received 22 mm of rainfall which is 39% below normal, Chamarajanagar has received 12 mm of rains, and it is 59% below normal for the period June 1 to 12. Chikkamagaluru, which is the catchment area for Hemavathi, a major tributary of the Cauvery, has received 46 mm of rainfall, and it is 43% below normal. Only Mandya, Ramanagara and Bengaluru Urban, have received normal rains during June so far, as per the KSNDMC.

Published - June 13, 2025 06:52 pm IST