City singes with highest temperatures for February

Severe heat wave conditions continued in the City on Tuesday, recording a maximum temperature of 34.2 degree Celsius. On Monday, the City experienced a record high temperature of 35.5 degree Celsius.

According to data procured from Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the City has crossed 34 degree Celsius temperature in the last three years. The all-time high for February was on February 17, 2016 with 35.9 degree Celsius. The City experienced 35.4 degree Celsius on February 29, 2012 and 35.2 degree Celsius on February 27, 2009.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Geeta Agnihotri, director incharge, IMD, Bengaluru, said since winter was not severe this year, the temperature level was on the rise since early February.

The maximum and minimum temperatures are above normal by 4 and 1 degree Celsius (normal being 31 and 18 degree Celsius respectively). It is likely to increase in the days to come. This is also because of increasing urbanisation and loss of green cover. People feel the heat because of the absence of cloud cover. Wind speed is hovering around 2-3 kmph.

Thus, people are feeling the heat, she said. Incidentally, the increase in temperature coincided with the World Meteorological Day on February 23. The theme for this year is ‘Hotter, Drier, Wetter. Face the Future’.