The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : July rainfall double the normal

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Thursday, Jul 31, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

July rainfall double the normal

Staff Reporter

276 mm of rain has been recorded this month in Bangalore

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

IT HAS ARRIVED: People taking cover at Cubbon Road in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Bangalore: After weeks of keeping Bangaloreans waiting and guessing, the monsoon has finally unleashed itself upon the city. Torrents of heavy rain have lashed the city without warning all month — morning, evening and night — a distinct characteristic of the monsoon. But this July has been unlike any other that the city has witnessed. Well, at least in 60 years.

The rainfall registered this month so far is 276 mm, according to the meteorological centre here. “The last time it rained so heavily in July was back in 1949, when the city received 350 mm,” said A. Muthuchami, director of the centre. This year, the city has recorded more than double the amount of rain that is considered “normal” for July (110 mm).

“This is particularly unusual for the city as the rest of Karnataka has got 29 per cent less than normal rain this entire season,” he added.

Clogged drains and flooded roads apart, the monsoon has brought a welcome dip in the mercury level. Temperatures that hovered around 29 degrees Celsius in the beginning of the month have now plummeted to just 18 degrees Celsius.

And adding to the chill factor are the strong, gusty winds which, on Wednesday morning, reached a staggering speed of 56 kmph. These strong westerly winds are, however, fairly common at this time of year, Mr. Muthuchami said.

In the next two days, rain and thundershowers are likely to occur at most places in coastal Karnataka and many places in interior Karnataka, according to the meteorological centre. Very heavy rain is also likely in certain places in coastal and ghat areas of south interior Karnataka. The centre has also warned fishermen of strong winds with speeds of 45 to 55 kmph that they say are likely along the Karnataka coast in the next 24 hours.

The city can expect more rain in the next three months. “It is only in September and October that the city receives most of its monsoon rain,” Mr. Muthuchami said.

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