Bengaluru Braces for Extended Rainy Spell as Pre-Monsoon Showers Claim One Life
Bengaluru, May 1: The city has been plunged into its pre-monsoon season, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting daily rainfall until May 6. The wet weather, which began with light showers on Wednesday afternoon, is expected to intensify, potentially disrupting traffic and daily routines.
In a tragic incident underscoring the hazards of the season, a 45-year-old auto-rickshaw driver lost his life when a tree collapsed onto his vehicle near a bus stop on Kathriguppe Main Road. The victim, identified as Mahesh from Ittamadu, died on the spot. Authorities have registered a case under the Unnatural Death Report (UDR) protocol.
Rain Forecast and Weather Patterns
According to IMD, Bengaluru will experience rain or thundershowers nearly every day until May 6, with precipitation most likely in the afternoons and evenings till May 3. A temporary break is expected on May 4, with partly cloudy skies and isolated showers, before the rain returns with greater intensity from May 5. Daytime temperatures are projected to hover around 33°C, while nights may dip to 21°C.
The city’s air quality remains in the “moderate” range, with an AQI of 88, though this could fluctuate with changing weather conditions.
From Drought to Deluge
The current showers follow an unusually dry March, marking a sharp turnaround in Karnataka’s rainfall patterns. IMD data reveals that while the state recorded only 13 mm of rain against an expected 13.1 mm by March 30, April saw a dramatic surge—68.8 mm against the normal 45.9 mm.
“This represents a nearly 50% excess compared to the monthly average,” an IMD scientist noted. The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) has also flagged the increased precipitation, urging residents to stay alert for weather updates and plan travel cautiously.
With more rain on the horizon, authorities are advising Bengalureans to prepare for potential disruptions and exercise caution, particularly in areas prone to waterlogging and tree falls.
(Inputs from IMD and KSNDMC)
