State shivers as intense cold wave sweeps

An intense and sweeping cold wave has gripped the entire state of Karnataka in the last two-days.

The mercury levels plummeted as low as 9 degrees Celsius in the outskirts of Bengaluru. A bone-biting 4.5 degrees Celsius was recorded at Bidar and Vijayapura in North Karnataka region on Wednesday.

The meteorological experts attribute the intense cold condition to accelerating north-westerly winds sweeping over the plains of northern India, and engulfing the southern peninsular region.

The intensity of the cold wave is such that the neighbouring Telangana has sounded an ‘orange alert’ across the state. The burgeoning extreme cold conditions have already left the cool Bengaluru shivering.

Acknowledging the cold condition, Dr G S Srinivasa Reddy, Director, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Cell (KSNDMC), revealed to DH that the minimum temperature across Bengaluru has plummeted by up to 4 degrees Celsius.

“Areas in Bengaluru North have witnessed minimum temperature ranging from 9 degree Celsius to 11 degrees Celsius, while the central and southern areas have recorded 12 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

The lowest minimum temperature for Bengaluru, 9 degrees Celsius, was recorded at Hesaraghatta, followed by Yelahanka (10C) and Kempegowda International Airport (11.1C),” Dr Reddy explained.

Sources also explained that the record lowest minimum temperature in Bengaluru was recorded way back in 1984 with the mercury dropping to 7.8C.

“In recent times, during 2009 the temperature levels had fallen to 12.1 degrees Celsius,” Dr Reddy added.

C S Patil, Director-in-charge, IMD, Bengaluru, explained that the condition is likely to prevail over the southern peninsula for another couple of days. “The prevailing clear skies over the peninsular region have only paved way for the intense cold wave to sweep over most of the southern states.”

Recordings at KSNDMC stations across North Karnataka region have left many surprised.

“The regions across North Karnataka have been the coldest in the state. Sindagi in Vijayapura has recorded the lowest temperature of 4.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday followed by Bidar (4.7C),” Dr Reddy revealed.

The KSNDMC scientists have also advised people to be watchful of the sweeping cold wave.

“An intense cold situation like this will be a testing time for the people with respiratory ailments. Arthritis patients will also likely suffer due to bone-biting cold conditions as they will reel under intense pain. With the cold conditions severe between 4 am and 7 am, the morning walkers and joggers need to be cautious of the weather, and keep themselves warm,” Dr Reddy cautioned.