India 's weak monsoon worries: National rain deficit stands at 42 per cent in June

June 29, 2014

Indias monsoon
New Delhi, Jun 29: The national cumulative average of rainfall in June is deficient by a whopping 42 per cent, making it only the 12th instance in the past 113 years when rain shortfall was over 30 per cent in the month, according to a private forecasting agency.

States like Gujarat and Rajasthan have over 80 per cent of deficient rain.

The respite is that monsoon is likely to revive in the first week of July and rain is expected in the national capital and northwest plains from July 5, the agency added.

"As of now, the national cumulative average monsoon rain is deficient by a whopping 42 per cent, making it only the 12th instance in last 113 years when rainfall deficit has been over 30 per cent in the month," Skymet, a private forecasting agency said.

"Gujarat is reeling under extreme dry weather conditions and the deficit here has mounted to 88 from 78 per cent till June 17. Similarly, even Rajasthan is facing a huge deficit," it said.

"The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) continues to pass through Veraval, Surat, Nashik, Wasim, Damoh and Sultanpur.

The western arm, passing through Veraval, Surat and Nasik has been stagnant for the 13th consecutive day," it said. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall in the country has made marginal progress as compared to last week. It received 74.4 mm of rainfall from June 1 to June 25, as compared to normal precipitation of 124.5 mm, which is 40 per cent less.

The IMD says the rainfall recorded from June 1 to June 18 in the country was 45 per cent less that what was expected in its first spell. It received 43.4 mm of rainfall as compared to normal rain of 78.8 mm from June 1 to June 17.

Central and northwest India continued to receive less rainfall from June 1 to June 25. Northwest India received 25.0 mm of rainfall as compared to normal rainfall of 48.3, which is 48 per cent less while central India received 51.4 mm as compared to normal rainfall of 118.9 mm, which is 57 per cent less.

MET department has also said that the monsoon will revive in the first week of July.

"A fresh western disturbance would affect northwest India in the beginning of July. We are expecting mild interaction of monsoon and western disturbance and this will help in advancement of monsoon in Northern Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu division," B P Yadav, Director, IMD.

According to Skymet's Meteorology Division in India, cumulative rain deficit has been increasing in Konkan and Goa, which at present stands at 56 per cent short of monsoon rain.

Rain deficiency in coastal Karnataka is 35 per cent and Kerala about 24 per cent but the present weather system could mitigate this deficit rain to some extent.

Some good news for the west coast is a fresh surge in the Arabian Sea that could bring monsoon showers along the coastline by July 1.

However, south, east and northeast India have received better rainfall as compared to other parts of the region.

"The Southern Peninsula received 90.3 mm of rainfall as compared to normal rainfall of 126.0 mm, which is 28 per cent less while the East and northeast India received 198.8 mm of rainfall as compared to normal rainfall of 281.3 mm, 29 per cent less," the IMD said.

The cyclonic circulation near the coastal parts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh will continue to bring good monsoon rain over Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and will engulf interiors of Telangana, south Odisha, Telangana and Vidarbha.

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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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