Karnataka: Deficit pre-monsoon rainfall in 11 districts

11 districts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru Urban, experienced deficiency in pre-monsoon rainfall between March 1 and May 11.

According to the district-wise pre-monsoon model-2026 of the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Center (KSNDMC), during this period, Bengaluru Urban (-23%), Bengaluru South (-29%), Tumakuru (-21%), Chitradurga (-44%), Vijayanagar (-24%), Davangere (-25%), Hassan (-28%), Kodagu (-48%), Mysuru (-50%), Mandya (-42%) and Chamarajanagar (-39%) received inadequate rainfall.

Precipitation is considered normal when it varies between +19% and -19%, deficient when it varies between -20% and -59%, major deficient when it varies between -60% or less, surplus when it varies between +20% and +59%, and major excess precipitation when it varies between +60% and above.

Sixteen districts including Bengaluru Rural, Chickballapur, Kolar, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Haveri, Ballari, Koppal, Bagalkot, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Yadgir and Bidar received normal rainfall.

While Bidar, Raichur and Gadag received excessive rainfall, Dharwad and Kalaburagi received large amounts of excessive rainfall. KSNDMC’s taluk-wise data reveals that 11 taluks receive large amount of rainfall, 99 taluks receive little rainfall, 72 taluks receive normal rainfall, 33 taluks receive excessive rainfall and 21 taluks receive large amount of excessive rainfall.

The summer has been busy across the state; A few districts in north interior Karnataka recorded maximum temperatures above 40°C on many occasions.

In Bengaluru, for example, the temperature was above 35°C for most of April and even crossed the 36°C mark in many cases.

The IMD forecast on Monday (May 11) said there will be a 2-3°C increase in maximum temperatures over north interior parts of Karnataka during the next five days.

“There will be no major change in maximum temperatures over coastal Karnataka and south interior Karnataka during the next five days,” the IMD said.

IMD has already stated that 2026 southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall (June to September) across Karnataka is expected to be below normal in most parts of the State. However, some areas in the north-east and south-east interior of Karnataka are likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall.