Wind, rain bring down many trees

Many trees were uprooted in the city on Sunday due to gusty winds and rain. Complaints of power cuts and waterlogging were reported from several parts of the city. According to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), tree falls were reported on NICE Road in Thalaghattapura, Halasuru, Whitefield, Delmia Circle in JP Nagar 2nd Phase, Margosa Road, Koramangala, Mico Layout, Jayanagar 3rd Block, HSR Layout, Shanthinagar, RT Nagar BDA Complex and Vannarpet. The BBMP control room said it received 26 complaints, most of them from the South and East zones.

Power cuts were reported from Koramangala 1st, 6th and 8th Blocks and Austin Town. A Bescom official said that due to heavy rain and wind, two poles in Austin Town and eight in Koramangala broke, resulting in power shutdown. Bescom said it began work on restoring power immediately.

 Electricity poles also broke in many areas including Pavani Chandan Apartment in Electronics City Phase 2, Rajpalya in Mahadevpura where two poles were broken, Cambridge Road in Cambridge Layout where four poles were uprooted and at HSR Layout.

Motorists and pedestrians struggled at Johnson Market on Hosur Road owing to waterlogging. Rainwater reportedly gushed into ASRA Point Building, opposite National Games Village on 80 Feet Road, Koramangala. A car was damaged when a tree fell on it on Eagle Street in Langford Town.

More rain expected
While most parts of the city experienced thundershowers, there was just a drizzle in some areas. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, these were pre-monsoon showers and will continue for two to three days.

The city received traces of rain on Sunday till 8.30 pm, while HAL airport received 12.7 mm. No rainfall was reported at Kempegowda International Airport. The maximum wind speed in the city was 38 kmph recorded at 4.08 pm.

Sunder M Metri, IMD Bengaluru director-in-charge, said there is an upper air cyclonic circulation from north interior Karnataka to south Tamil Nadu. There is also a trough from Marathwada to south Tamil Nadu across interior Karnataka. Under the influence of these two factors,  the city and most parts of south interior Karnataka are experiencing rainfall.

Metri said formation of systems during pre-monsoon showers is very common. During April and May, there is fluctuation of temperature and rainfall.

According to IMD officials, since southwest monsoon has hit the Andamans earlier than predicted, it is likely to hit Kerala too before its scheduled date of June 1. Karnataka receives its monsoon showers normally a day after it hits the Kerala coast, the official explained.