Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka are experiencing record-high temperatures as the state faces unusually high temperatures and a monsoon rainfall deficit to date.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the lack of rainfall has pushed temperatures in Bengaluru and many parts of Karnataka 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal.
Bengaluru will experience maximum temperatures of 32 to 33 degrees Celsius over the next few days, weather officials predicted. The latest weather data show the intensity of the current warm spell. Kempegowda International Airport reached 33.9 degrees Celsius on September 13. It was 5.7 degrees Celsius above the typical temperature. Bengaluru city had a maximum temperature of 32.6 degrees Celsius, while HAL Airport had 32.1 degrees Celsius.
While the temperature remained elevated throughout the day, temperatures dropped slightly in the evening hours. At 5:30 PM, Bengaluru City had a temperature of 30.2 degrees Celsius and HAL Airport at 30.4 degrees Celsius, which gave residents a little relief after a hot afternoon.
Why are temperatures rising in Bengaluru?
The temperatures are up because of the long-term absence of significant rainfall over the past one to two weeks, meteorologists say. Drier soil moisture has resulted in lower soil moisture levels, and less cloud cover has led to more solar radiation reaching the ground and warmer weather.
Weather expert C.S. Patil said the situation is not severe enough to be called a heatwave. But the persistent lack of rain, he said, has probably contributed to warmer-than-normal weather in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka.
A major factor that is one of the reasons for the dry conditions is the absence of favourable weather systems over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. They are the systems that move moisture into Karnataka during the monsoon season. Without them, the moisture flow into the state's interior regions has reduced considerably, and there is less likelihood of widespread rainfall.
Rainfall prospects for Bengaluru and South Interior Karnataka
There is a bit of hope for better weather, but for the longer term, experts say rainfall will remain limited in the short term. Since September 14, Bengaluru and other South Interior Karnataka districts may experience light to moderate showers after that, but in the short term, we do not expect to see widespread rains.
Meteorologists are optimistic about rainfall activity in the coming weeks. Districts like Bengaluru Urban, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Hassan, and Tumakuru can expect to see increased rainfall activity after mid-October, and could see more heavy rain when weather conditions get a bit better in the future.
Karnataka has a significant rainfall deficit
The bigger concern is Karnataka's overall monsoon performance. The state has an estimated rainfall deficit of around 26 per cent so far this year. Farmers, water resource managers, and policymakers are worried about such a large deficit.
Agricultural experts have advised farmers to consider crops that require less water in light of the uncertain rainfall situation. Water conservation measures are being emphasised to minimise the effects of the prolonged dry spell.
According to the officials, decisions on the declaration of additional drought-affected regions will be based on soil moisture levels, dry weather conditions, and standing crops. Residents of Karnataka are keeping an eye on weather conditions, and farmers are monitoring the weather at the same time, waiting for a rainy spell in the coming weeks.
