Dakshina Kannada, Udupi Face 39% Rainfall Shortfall, Raising Drought Concerns

In the latest monsoon update, the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have suffered a 39% rainfall deficit compared to the expected monthly average, according to a report by the Deccan Herald.

India’s southwest coast typically receives steady monsoon showers during May and June; however, the current shortfall mirrors a broader trend of declining precipitation across Karnataka, raising alarms among meteorologists and water‑resource planners. The deficit is particularly acute in the hilly hinterlands where dependence on rainfall‑fed streams and wells is high.

The shortfall threatens to cripple the region’s largely agrarian economy. Crop prospects look bleak as irrigation canals and reservoirs fill below capacity, prompting local authorities to issue advisories for farmers to shift to drought‑resistant crops and to intensify water‑saving practices. The government has also announced a relief package for affected farmers and an accelerated replenishment of water bodies. Source: Google News – Udupi.