Southwest Monsoon Weak Over Karnataka; Bengaluru Stays Dry, Rain and Gusty Winds Likely From Monday
Bengaluru: The southwest monsoon remained weak over Karnataka, with dry weather prevailing across Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka, even as Bengaluru recorded no rainfall and temperatures stayed significantly above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department’s Daily Weather Report issued on Sunday.
Rainfall during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on September 13 was confined to one or two places in North Interior Karnataka. Chincholi in Kalaburagi district recorded 2 cm of rain, while the Kalaburagi observatory recorded 1 cm.
No rainfall was recorded at Bengaluru City, HAL Airport, Kempegowda International Airport or GKVK during the same period.
The dry spell was accompanied by above-normal daytime temperatures in Bengaluru. Bengaluru City recorded a maximum temperature of 32.6°C, 4°C above normal, while the minimum stood at 21.9°C, 2°C above normal.
Kempegowda International Airport recorded an even higher maximum of 33.9°C, 5.7°C above normal. HAL Airport recorded 32.1°C, 3.4°C above normal, while GKVK recorded a maximum of 31.2°C.
The IMD data also points to a substantial seasonal rainfall deficit in Bengaluru City. Since June 1, the city observatory has recorded 170 mm of rainfall, a departure of minus 239 mm from normal. HAL Airport has recorded 248 mm during the season, 95 mm below normal.
Despite the currently weak monsoon conditions, Bengaluru could see a change in weather from Monday.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain with thundershowers and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at one or two places over Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural districts on September 14.
Similar conditions are likely at one or two places on September 15 and 16, with Bengaluru Urban and Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, Kodagu and Ramanagara among the districts included in the forecast. Several other South Interior Karnataka districts are also included on September 15 and 16.
For Bengaluru city and its neighbourhood, the IMD forecast a partly cloudy sky during the next 24 hours, with maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 31°C and 21°C respectively.
During the subsequent 24 hours, the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy, with light to moderate rain likely in some areas. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 32°C and 21°C respectively.
Across Karnataka, the seven-day forecast indicates subdued rainfall activity. Coastal Karnataka is forecast to remain dry on most days through September 19, apart from isolated light rain over Uttara Kannada on September 13 and 15.
North Interior Karnataka is also expected to see largely limited rainfall, while South Interior Karnataka is forecast to receive isolated rain through the seven-day period.
The weather pattern comes as a low-pressure area that was over north Vidarbha and adjoining Madhya Pradesh shifted to southwest Madhya Pradesh and adjoining north Vidarbha at 8.30 am on September 13. The associated cyclonic circulation extended up to 7.6 km above mean sea level.
The IMD said the system was likely to move west-northwestwards across southeast Rajasthan and adjoining north Gujarat during the next 24 hours. A trough associated with the system also extended across Marathwada, North Interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu to the Gulf of Mannar.
About the Author
