Bangalore: Sudden showers in the afternoon and cloudy weather came as a relief to Bangaloreans who have been sweating it out with temperatures in the past few days peaking at 37 degrees Celsius.

Tuesday's temperature came down to 35.6 degrees Celsius with humidity levels of 69 per cent. The city recorded rainfall of 9.6 mm up to 5.30 p.m.

The Meteorological office predicts that this mix of weather — warm and cloudy — would be noticeable over the next few days. "The city is due for some more showers," Director of Meteorological Department Anand L. Koppar said.

Attributing the showers to "cloud development in the region" and a favourable circulation pattern, he said that the moisture has been brought by the winds from the Bay of Bengal. However, the temperatures are expected to go up again as May is when summer is hottest.

As for the rising temperatures in the city, the reasons cited are atmospheric factors, growth of the city as a concrete jungle, cutting down of trees, etc.

The rainfall was some kind of precursor, at least for the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, to take note of the low-lying areas which get inundated during the monsoons. Though no part of the city witnessed any water logging, puddles of water were noticeable at many places.

Power shutdown

Many parts of the city were plunged in darkness on Tuesday evening. With a spell of rains, residents of several areas felt it unbearable to be inside their houses without fans or air conditioners.

Officials at the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited's Load Despatch Centre said the situation at their end was under control.

"It could be because of some problem at the local distribution centres. There is no problem at our end. However, it could not have been because of the rains," they said.

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