Karnataka Weather Alert: Will May Bring Some Pre-Monsoon Rains To Bengaluru?

Bengaluru residents brace themselves for another scorching day as temperatures in the city and surrounding areas are expected to soar to a scorching 38-39 degrees Celsius. This marks a rise from the previous range of 36-38 degrees Celsius, indicating a further intensification of the ongoing heatwave.

The city witnessed its hottest day of the year so far on Sunday, recording a maximum temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius. This surpasses the previous high of 37.6 degrees Celsius recorded twice this month i.e in April. With an elevation of only 3000 feet, Bengaluru experiences heatwave conditions when temperatures exceed 38 degrees Celsius.

Record-breaking Heat:

April 2024 has been exceptionally hot, with Bengaluru exceeding 37 degrees Celsius for a record 14 days. This surpasses the previous record of 10 days in April 2016. The past five days have seen a steady rise in mercury, with yesterday i.e on Sunday (April 28) recording a scorching 38.6 degrees Celsius.

Bengaluru pre-monsoon rains forecast: Heatwave to Linger Until May

The scorching heat is likely to persist well into May due to the displacement of the Peninsular India trough, a weather system that triggers pre-monsoon showers. With this feature not expected to return to its usual position until the first week of May, temperatures may climb further, nearing the 39-degree mark. Relief in the form of pre-monsoon showers is unlikely before May 5th, raising concerns that April 2024 may become one of the hottest Aprils in recent history.

Longest Dry Spell in Decades:

Adding to Bengaluru's woes, the city is experiencing its most severe dry spell in over six decades. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city has not received any significant rainfall since November 23rd, 2023, marking a period of 146 days as of April 17th, 2024. This surpasses the previous record set in 1962.

While Bengaluru has witnessed dry spells between January and March in the past, 2024 marks the first time the city has seen no measurable rainfall (above 1mm) even in April. Bengaluru received minimal rainfall on December 3rd and 4th, 2023, and a meager 2mm on January 9th, 2024, but has remained completely dry since then. February and March also saw no rain, further exacerbating the dry conditions.

While Bengaluru swelters, moderate-intensity thunderstorms were reported over Belagavi city and its surrounding areas, offering some respite to the region.