Bengaluru: Karnataka ended the southwest monsoon season with a 35 per cent rainfall deficit, raising concerns over possible drought conditions across several parts of the state.
The southwest monsoon officially ended on Thursday, October 1. Karnataka received 551 mm of rainfall between June and September, compared with the normal seasonal average of around 852 mm.
According to rainfall data, Bengaluru Urban recorded a 36 per cent deficit, while Bengaluru Rural registered a 31 per cent shortfall.
Mysuru recorded the highest rainfall deficit among Karnataka's districts at 59 per cent, followed by Vijayanagara at 57 per cent and Haveri at 52 per cent. Chikkaballapur and Kalaburagi recorded deficits of 51 per cent each, while Ballari and Raichur reported shortfalls of 49 per cent each.
The latest figures mark a change from the previous week, when Vijayanagara had the highest district-level rainfall deficit. Mysuru has now recorded the state's largest shortfall.
The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) said rainfall deficiency continued across all 31 districts. Bengaluru South, which covers Ramanagara district, recorded a comparatively lower deficit of 18 per cent.
Rainfall deficit remained high through monsoon
Karnataka recorded a 42 per cent rainfall deficit in June, followed by a 29 per cent shortfall in July and 23 per cent in August. The deficit widened to 54 per cent in September despite expectations of improved late-season rainfall.
Region-wise, North Interior Karnataka recorded a 42 per cent deficit, while South Interior Karnataka reported a 41 per cent shortfall. The Malnad region, covering Kodagu, Shivamogga, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru, recorded a 38 per cent deficit.
Coastal Karnataka recorded a comparatively lower rainfall deficit of 28 per cent.
The rainfall shortage has prompted the Karnataka government to expand its drought assessment. Field-level assessments are being conducted to evaluate the impact on agriculture, drinking water availability and rural livelihoods.
The state government has also sought financial assistance from the Centre as it assesses the extent of the impact caused by the rainfall shortfall.
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