Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 day ago
Karnataka had deficient or near-zero rain on 79 monsoon days
Karnataka’s southwest monsoon runs from June 1 to September 30 and provides about 74% of the State’s yearly rainfall.
This season, 79 of its 122 days had no rain, almost no rain or below-normal rain, while only 12 days had above-normal rain.
The State received 551 mm of rain, compared with a normal 852 mm, a deficit of 35%.
The timing and distribution of rain matter to crops because long dry spells can harm plants during key growth stages.
Karnataka estimates drought-related kharif crop losses at ₹46,323 crore, including losses to farm, horticulture and spice crops.
An agro-meteorologist says crop insurance should account for how rain is distributed, not just the total rainfall.
Karnataka had nil, near-nil or deficit rainfall on 79 of the 122 days of the 2026 southwest monsoon.
The state received 551 mm of rain, against a normal 852 mm, a deficit of 35%.
The monsoon season, from June 1 to September 30, normally accounts for about 74% of Karnataka’s annual rainfall.
Uneven rain and prolonged dry spells affected sowing, crop establishment and crop development, and were linked to substantial crop losses.
Karnataka estimated kharif-season crop losses due to drought at ₹46,323 crore.
- Who
- Karnataka was affected by the dry spells and rainfall deficit.
- What
- The state had nil, near-nil or deficit rainfall on 79 of 122 southwest monsoon days.
- When
- June 1 to September 30, 2026.
- Where
- Karnataka, India.
- Why
- Low and uneven rainfall led to prolonged dry spells; an agro-meteorologist said a July temperature drop created high-pressure systems that pushed monsoon clouds away from parts of the state.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
What is important for agriculture and crop growth is not just the total quantum of rainfall during the entire monsoon period, but rainfall at regular intervals during different phases of crop growth.
Crops start wilting if the dry spell continues beyond 10 days.
distribution of rains
The southwest monsoon period began in Karnataka.
A drop in temperatures created high-pressure weather systems that dispelled monsoon clouds away from south and north interior Karnataka, according to M.B. Raje Gowda.
The southwest monsoon period ended after 122 days.
The Hindu reported the rainfall figures and the state’s estimated kharif crop losses.
- Nearly dry or deficit days
- 79 of 122 southwest monsoon days
- Rainfall received
- 551 mm
- Normal rainfall
- 852 mm
- Statewide rainfall deficit
- 35%
- Estimated kharif crop losses
- ₹46,323 crore
Sources
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