Bengaluru experienced its hottest March day in the last five years on Friday, with the maximum temperature reaching 36.4 degrees Celsius. This surpassed the average expected temperature for the last week of March by 2.2 degrees Celsius. The mean daily maximum temperature in Bengaluru typically stands at 33.4ºC, with the highest maximum temperature ever recorded being 37.3ºC on March 29, 1996.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bengaluru, Friday marked the third hottest day in a decade and the fourth hottest day in the last 15 years. Bengaluru’s average March temperature is 33.1ºC, and earlier predictions from the IMD had indicated that the city would experience temperatures higher than normal.
Despite citizens hoping for rain to alleviate the heat, Bengaluru remained dry throughout March. A Prasad, senior scientist with the IMD in Bengaluru, attributed this to a wind discontinuity between Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, preventing rainfall in the city.
Looking ahead, the IMD anticipates that the scorching heat will persist into April, with temperatures expected to touch 35ºC against an average of 34.3ºC for the month. However, some relief may come in the form of moderate to heavy rainfall predicted to start in the second week of April. Bengaluru typically receives around 64 mm of rainfall in April, with this year’s forecast indicating slightly higher than normal precipitation.
