JOIN USIf you think the temperature in Bangalore is not as hot as in other cities, think again. The City’s mercury level on Thursday beat that of Chennai and Mumbai and was almost on a par with Delhi’s.
Bangalore recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius up to 5:30 pm on April 24, the hottest for this season. The same conditions prevailed on Tuesday, too, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Chennai recorded a maximum of 35.1 degrees Celsius, Delhi 37.2, Mumbai 33.4 in Colaba and 36.5 in Santa Cruz, and Hyderabad 39 degrees Celsius.
However, the humidity levels varied – in Chennai, it was 65 per cent; Delhi 24 per cent; Mumbai-Colaba 80 per cent; Santa Cruz 46 per cent; and Hyderabad 35 per cent.
IMD-Bangalore director B Puttanna told Deccan Herald that the mercury level might further rise in the City given the fact that April is not yet over and May is yet to come. However, there will some respite from the scorching heat in the form of thundershowers due to increased vaporisation.
The City had experienced the hottest day on April 30, 1931, at 38.3 degrees Celsius, and on April 12, 2010, at 37.6 degrees Celsius.
“Bangalore is feeling the heat because the atmosphere is hot and humid, just like in the coastal regions. If it is hot and dry, we will not feel so much heat. However, there will be some respite in the coming days. Bangalore, along with most parts of south interior Karnataka, can expect thundershowers over the weekend as a north-south upper air trough, which is passing through interior Karnataka, has established and is extending up to 0.9 km above sea level. This will bring cooling showers,” Puttanna said.
He said temperatures would soar again after the system recedes. This is a normal phenomenon during summer and premonsoon showers. It will continue till the onset of south-west monsoon (from June-September).
The IMD has forecast 95 per cent rain of 660 mm for south interior Karnataka, 3083.5 mm for coastal Karnataka, and 506 mm over north interior Karnataka, based on the 50-year average rainfall.