Bangalore feels the heat even before summer sets in

Residents of Bangalore have to gear up for a severe summer this year.  Summer, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, will actually start from March, but the City is already feeling the heat with a rise in temperatures.

The IMD has warned of mercury levels rising in the coming months and says temperatures are likely to touch 39 degrees Celsius.

Up to 5:30 pm on Sunday, the City recorded a maximum of 32.7 degrees Celsius, while the normal was around 30 degrees Celsius. The humidity level was 52 per cent, while the normal was 75 per cent.

“The temperatures are likely to increase in the coming days. We are feeling the heat and dehydration because of the clear sky, due to which there is more solar radiation and the humidity levels are also low. Fog during morning hours has also reduced as moisture is very less.

People are feeling warm in the evening too, despite the temperatures falling below normal due to solar radiation,” said IMD Director B Puttanna.

The minimum temperature on Sunday up to 8:30 am was 15.7 degrees Celsius, against a normal of 17 degrees Celsius.

“In the coming days, the temperatures will increase and are likely to cross 35 degrees Celsius in February itself. This has happened thrice before in the last decade—on February 17, 2005 (35.9 deg C), February 29, 2012 (35.4 deg C), and February 27, 2008 (35.2 deg C),” he said.

“Further, looking at the gradual rising temperatures over the decade and the rising temperatures in February, the mercury is likely to touch 39 degrees Celsius in March-April. The probability of cooling showers is also bleak across the peninsular region during this time,” explained Puttanna.

Taking stock of the changing weather, various civic agencies have started pulling up their socks. Civic organisations are seen assuring citizens of adequate water and power supply.

Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Director (Technical) H Nagesh has said they have sufficient power for the summer as all the reservoirs and catchment areas are full. “We are depending on hydel power this year. The Udupi power plant is running properly, and of the eight units of the Raichur Thermal Power Station, six are functioning properly. This will cater to the required load,” he said.

“Looking at the present scenario, there will be no power cuts this season,” he added.
Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board Chairman Ravi Shankar said they have enough water for summer, because last monsoon was good.

“The only problem of last-mile connectivity, which was there last year in TMC and CMC areas, is being addressed now, and by the end of March 2014, it will be solved,” he said.