Friday's unseasonal downpour set a new weather record for the city. The evening showers pushed the monthly total to 44 mm, which is the most the city has received in 11 years in the month of February. In February 2000, the city received 57 mm rainfall. Meteorological scientists describe this as “unusual” for this time of the year.
After a record 23 mm the city received earlier this week, Friday saw a substantial 21 mm. And together with the moderate northerly winds, Bangalore was distinctly chilly by nightfall.
“On an average, the city receives around 7 mm in the entire month, no more. February is certainly not known for so much rain,” said B. Puttanna, director of the meteorological centre. This average has been exceeded by a long margin, he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The total rain this February is already over six times the normal rainfall for this month. While February typically sees less than a day of rain, it has seen three rainy days already. Two systems in the Arabian Sea are responsible for the thundershowers: a trough of low and an upper air trough, both of which pass through Karnataka, Mr. Puttanna said.
South interior Karnataka, including Bangalore, is likely to see more spells of rainfall in the next two days.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, instances of trees being uprooted were reported from Amarjyothi Layout, R.T. Nagar and Sanjay Nagar 3rd Cross. Drains overflowed in Pottery Town, Cambridge Layout, Inner Ring Road and HAL Airport Road due to the downpour.
There were reports of some roads being flooded for a while, such as Suranjan Das Road. The City Traffic Police have sent out warnings to the public not to park their vehicles under trees when there is rain.