Bengaluru: Residents of Bengaluru woke up to a rainy Sunday morning on September 20 after the city experienced hot and humid weather over the past couple of weeks. Widespread overnight rainfall brought temporary relief from the high temperatures, with several parts of the city receiving moderate to heavy showers.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data cited in the weather update, Kempegowda International Airport recorded 94.2 mm of rainfall and HAL Airport received 66 mm during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Sunday. Bengaluru city recorded 15.9 mm of rainfall during the same period.
The showers also brought down temperatures by a few degrees Celsius after maximum temperatures had remained above 30°C in the city in recent weeks.
Heavy rainfall forecast across Karnataka
The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall across Karnataka in the coming days. Its Bengaluru Meteorological Centre has issued warnings indicating heavy rain and thunderstorm activity across the three meteorological subdivisions of the state.
According to the forecast, rainfall activity is expected to continue through September 24, with several districts likely to experience heavy showers.
The districts identified for heavy rainfall and yellow alert include Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Belagavi, Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kodagu, Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Bengaluru South.
The IMD’s warning indicates that the rainfall activity is not expected to be confined to Bengaluru, with both interior and coastal parts of Karnataka likely to receive showers.
Bengaluru forecast
For Bengaluru, the weather forecast indicates generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain or thundershowers. Gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph are also likely.
The maximum temperature is expected to remain around 32°C, while the minimum is likely to be around 20°C.
The combination of rain, cloud cover and gusty winds could result in relatively cooler conditions compared with the warmer weather experienced in the city during the preceding weeks.
Residents may therefore see intermittent showers rather than a complete break in rainfall activity over the next few days.
Yellow alert for several districts
The yellow alert signals the possibility of heavy rainfall and associated weather activity and comes as the state enters another spell of widespread showers.
The IMD’s latest subdivision-wise warning lists heavy rain along with thunderstorm, lightning and squall activity for South Interior Karnataka, North Interior Karnataka and Coastal Karnataka on September 20 and the following days.
The forecast also extends beyond September 24 for some parts of the state, indicating that rainfall activity could continue into the later part of the week.
With Bengaluru included among the districts under a yellow alert, residents are likely to experience changing weather conditions, particularly during periods of heavy showers and gusty winds.
Rain brings relief from heat
The rainfall has provided relief from the hot and humid conditions that had persisted across Bengaluru.
Temperatures crossing the 30°C mark during the daytime had contributed to uncomfortable weather conditions for residents. The overnight showers brought some respite, while increased cloud cover is expected to keep temperatures relatively moderate.
However, the possibility of thunderstorms and gusty winds means residents should remain cautious during periods of intense weather activity.
The IMD continues to monitor the evolving weather system and has made district-wise and subdivision-wise warnings available for the coming days.
With widespread rainfall forecast across Karnataka, Bengaluru is likely to remain under the influence of wet weather through the coming week.