The city continues to tumble towards record setting rainfall for May, as heavy rain continued to lash the city for the second day in a row on Saturday.
As of 8.30 p.m. on Saturday, the city received 35 mm of rainfall, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). On Friday, the city registered 83.4 mm of rainfall — the highest since at least 2006 — accompanied by winds that reached up to 58 kmph.
By Saturday evening, the city received 236.36 mm of rainfall eclipsing the monthly total for May recorded over the past decade. This is nearly 90% above the “normal” rainfall, according to IMD. With more rain forecast for the coming days, this May could come close to breaking the all-time record of 287 mm rainfall registered in 1957.
“Instead of pre-monsoon rains being spread over three months beginning March, the city is witnessing intense rainfall this May. This is one of the signs of climate change after all, where it is believed that extreme events (including three days of intense rains over the past week) will increase,” said G.S. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).
While heavy rainfall in May is not expected to affect the intensity of monsoon rains, water situation may finally look up for the State. Last year, the pre-monsoon was 34% deficit, while this year, south interior Karnataka is seeing an excess of 30% rain. “Last year, much of the monsoon rain recharged groundwater and surface run-off was seen only in mid-July. This year, if conditions continue to be the same, run-off (leading to increase in reservoir levels) can be seen in early June also,” Mr. Reddy said.
