Monsoon plays hide and seek: No respite from humidity and high temperature

Report and Pictures by Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 06 June 2010: In spite of the prediction of the Meteorological Department that the coastal Karnataka will experience monsoon by 1st June 2010, the rain gods have not yet smiled on this region and monsoon still plays hide and seek with few showers here and there bringing hope of a good monsoon, but disappearing within short period resulting in an increase of humidity and temperature. It is believed that the monsoon has been practically stalled in its tracks for five to six days or even more by the cyclone ‘Phet’. 

However, the southwest monsoon surprisingly made an entrance into Bangalore even before it set in over the coastal Karnataka.  Several parts of south interior Karnataka received monsoon rainfall on Friday and Saturday including Chikmagalur, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Kolar and Chitradurga. According to Mr. B. Puttanna, Director of the Meteorological Centre, coastal Karnataka will receive monsoon rain within a day or two. He said that it was ’very rare’ for the monsoon onset to bypass the coast before arriving in south-interior Karnataka. “But as a result, the city has received monsoon on the normal date, June 5,” said Mr. B. Puttanna.

The sky promises the onset of monsoon with dark clouds looming large on the horizons. But after sometime they just disappear. Since few days there had been slight showers during night and even during day time. However, the intensity of the monsoon is yet to be felt. On Saturday, 5th June, it did start raining in the morning for some time bringing hope of widespread rain. However, as I travelled from Moodubelle via Padubelle to Udupi, I could see the roads being wet due to rain up to Udyavar. Beyond Udyavar till Udupi roads were dry though sky was overcast with dark clouds.

On Sunday, 6th June, there were few showers at around 10.30 am in Moodubelle and again at around 4.30 pm in the evening. As this report is being prepared at around 5pm, the sun shines brightly and the monsoon seems to be keeping people all around the coastal Karnataka guessing by playing hide and seek. Meanwhile, there is no respite for the people from the humidity and temperature.