Sudden showers disrupt traffic, leads to waterlogging

The city experienced sudden thundershowers on Wednesday afternoon leading to tree fall, waterlogging on roads, and also traffic jam.

Many took it for the onset of the south-west monsoon with the sudden change in the weather and wind. However, the Indian meteorological department (IMD) said it was the pre-monsoon shower.

P S Patil, IMD, director in-charge, Bengaluru, said: “Thundershowers are because of a trough prevailing over the interior of Karnataka at a height of 1.5 km above mean sea level. There is also sufficient moisture on the land surface, which is leading to drop in the temperature and rainfall.”

Under the influence of this system, the IMD forecast widespread rainfall across Karnataka for the next two days.

Patil also said that systems were being formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal, which will help drag the south-west monsoon and help in its advancement.

According to the IMD, till 5.30 pm the city received 24.9 mm rainfall while the HAL airport received 0.8 mm rainfall. The maximum and minimum temperatures in the city were 31.9 and 22.5-degree Celsius respectively.

The maximum and minimums at the HAL airport were 32 and 22.1-degree Celsius respectively. The Kempegowda International Airport did not receive any rain till 5.30 pm. The maximum and minimum temperatures here were 32.4 and 22.2 degree Celsius respectively.

According to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) control room officials, the heavy rain was reported from the central business district (CBD) areas and east of Bengaluru.

“The rain lashed in these areas for an hour and around eight tree fall complaints have been registered,” said a BBMP control room official.

Tree fall incidents have been reported from Indiranagar, Jeevanahalli, Kumaraswamy Layout, Richmond Road. Two trees uprooted on the Old Airport Road and the Mysore Bank Circle.

Waterlogging in the CBD areas like MG Road, Koramangala, Halasuru were also reported.