Weather Alert: Thunderstorms Likely To Continue Over Bengaluru Till This Weekend

Thunderstorms are likely to continue over Bengaluru city till this weekend. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms with light to moderate rain and gusty winds at isolated places in the city and its surrounding areas. The Met department has also warned of lightning and thundershowers in Bengaluru and Mysuru today evening and late night.

The thunderstorms are likely to bring some relief from the hot weather. However, they can also cause waterlogging and traffic disruptions.

On the final day of a mostly arid August, Bengaluru experienced a bout of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning on Thursday evening. The Garden city recorded a substantial 64.8mm of rainfall, while HAL Airport witnessed 52mm of precipitation.

Meanwhile, the weather agency has issued a yellow alert, predicting heavy rain ranging from 6cm to 11cm for Bengaluru over the next two days. Among the recorded rainfall figures, Nidasale, Tumakuru received a significant rainfall of 155.5 mm, followed by Hiriyur, Chitradurga with 149.1mm.

In various areas such as Yelahanka's Bhadrappa Layout, Chamarajpet, Kamakshipalya, and Chinnappa Garden in Shivajinagar, multiple houses were inundated due to flooding. Furthermore, several thoroughfares, including Magadi Road, Mysuru Road, Outer Ring Road, Electronics City, Old Airport Road, and Koramangala, experienced waterlogging, leading to sluggish traffic conditions throughout the city.

According to IMD officials, the unusual and erratic weather patterns witnessed in August can be attributed to El Niño, which involves the warming of the Pacific Ocean surface. The presence of El Niño disrupted the formation of various weather systems, including low-pressure areas, depressions, and upper air circulations.

Looking ahead to September, historically the city's wettest month, the IMD anticipates rainfall slightly below the normal range, with the possibility of above-normal rainfall between the 8th and 14th of the month, as stated by Prasad.