Sept Saw Sharp Reversal, With 54% Shortfall
Mysuru : Karnataka has recorded its worst southwest monsoon rainfall deficit in 55 years, with rainfall from June 1 to Sept 30 falling 35% below normal, according to data from Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC). The deficit is the lowest recorded since 1971, surpassing the previous low of 33% in 2002, said G Srinivasa Reddy, former director of KSNDMC. The state received just 551 mm of rainfall against the normal 852 mm during the four-month monsoon season. September saw a sharp reversal, with the state recording a 54% deficit during the month, pushing the seasonal deficit to 35% While rainfall improved in July and August. Of the 31 revenue districts, Mysuru was the worst affected, with a 59% deficit, followed by Vijayanagara at 57%. Only Bengaluru South recorded rainfall within the normal range, with a deficit of 18%. Usually, rainfall ranging between +19% and -19% is considered to be normal. In June 2026, the state recorded -42% deficit rainfall, which improved to -29% in July, according to KSNDMC data. However, with weak monsoon in Sept, the state recorded -54% deficit rainfall during the month, bringing the deficit for the June-Sept period to -35%. Meanwhile, Mysuru is the worst-affected district in the entire state with -59% deficit rainfall. Against normal rainfall of 419 mm, Mysuru received just 172 mm from June to Sept, according to data. Among the 31 districts, only Bengaluru South recorded a normal rainfall deficit of -18%, according to KSNDMC data.
In Aug, due to further improvement in rainfall, the deficit fell to -23%.