Bengaluru records driest April in 41 yrs, Karnataka roasts under intense heatwave

Bengaluru: Bengaluru, known for its moderate climate, has witnessed an unprecedented event as it remained rainless throughout the month of April for the first time in 41 years.

The last instance of such a phenomenon occurred in 1983. Despite a brief spell of rain ten days ago in some areas, the city remained predominantly dry, marking a significant departure from its typical weather pattern.

Adding to the city's woes, the meteorological department has forecasted a surge in temperatures, with the mercury expected to soar up to 38 degrees Celsius in the coming 3-4 days. Night temperatures are also anticipated to rise, prompting cautionary advisories from weather experts.

Data from the weather office indicates that Bengaluru has recorded a 100 per cent rain deficit for the month of April this year, mirroring conditions observed back in 1983. This aberration stands out against the backdrop of consistent rainfall in the city during April over the intervening years.

Beyond Bengaluru, concerns over deficient rainfall extend to at least 12 other districts across Karnataka, including Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Hassan, Kodagu, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, and Ramanagara.

In other regions of the state, the scorching heat has intensified, with Raichur recording a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, a level not seen in 15 years.

Similar conditions prevail in Kalaburagi and Koppal, with temperatures soaring to 44 and 43 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Heat wave warnings have been issued for several districts, including Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Gadag, Dharwad, Ballari, Vijayanagar, Davanagere, Tumakuru, and Chitradurga.

This year's April has witnessed the most intense heat in Karnataka in eight years, coinciding with the deficit rainfall. Comparatively, the highest maximum temperature recorded in April 2019 stood at 36.51 degrees Celsius, whereas this year, it peaked at 36.64 degrees Celsius.

Moreover, the number of days with temperatures exceeding 37 degrees Celsius rose from 11 in April 2019 to 17 this April. Dry weather conditions have persisted in the state since November last year, exacerbating concerns over water scarcity and agricultural distress.