Thursday, October 13: The wet conditions that have been drenching the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu of late are set to continue, with more heavy rains in forecast for the second half of this week.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rains, along with isolated heavy falls (64.5 mm-115.5 mm), thunderstorms and lightning are all very likely over North Interior Karnataka for the next 24 hours, South Interior Karnataka for the next 48 hours, and Tamil Nadu until next Monday (October 13-17).
In view of these predictions, the IMD has issued a yellow watch over both states during their respective heavy rainfall days, so as to urge the residents to ‘be aware’ of their local weather situation.
Within Karnataka, the IMD’s regional met centre in Bengaluru has issued the following yellow-level heavy rainfall alerts:
Thursday, October 13: Gulbarga, Yadir, Bellary, Devangere, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Chikballapur, Kolar, Chamarajanagar and Bengaluru (Rural)
Friday, October 14: Belgaum, Dharwad, Mandhya, Kodagu, Mysore, Chamarajanagar and Bengaluru (Rural)
Saturday, October 15: Tumkur, Mandhya, Kodagu, Mysore, Chamarajanagar and Bengaluru (Rural)
As for Tamil Nadu, all its districts — including state capital Chennai — have been placed on a yellow watch for the next five days, owing to the likelihood of heavy rains and thunderstorms.
This wet spell is being fuelled by the monsoon conditions and their interaction with other meteorological systems, including a cyclonic circulation over Comorin area and neighbourhood, and a cyclonic circulation over north Andaman Sea that is expected to move westwards during the next 2-3 days.
Meanwhile, since the start of October, abundant rains have soaked most parts of South Peninsular India. Between October 1 and 12, Karnataka has received 86.8 mm precipitation, marking a 33% ‘excess’ compared to its average for the month so far; while Tamil Nadu recorded 57.1 mm rains, slightly exceeding its average by 9%.
As for the southwest monsoon conditions, they are yet to completely withdraw from India’s northwestern and central regions. With their exit from the country’s northern half delayed by nearly 15-20 days, the monsoon — which normally departs from South India by mid-October — is expected to extend its stay down south for a little longer than usual.
