Rising humidity, soaring temperatures leave Bengaluru scorching

A slight rise in the humidity levels and a soaring mercury have left the garden city scorching for the last few days.

While there is expectation that the rise in temperature would eventually lead to rains, the weatherman has ruled out the showers for at least a week.

Bengaluru reported a maximum temperature of 35 degrees celsius at the weekend, the highest so far this March, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

"The rise in temperatures is expected as we are entering the peak summer season," G S Patil, Director, IMD Bengaluru, told DH.

Unless there is a change in the weather system such as a depression or cyclonic storm, the mercury is expected to hover between 34 and 36 degrees celsius throughout this month.

Citizens are feeling the heat, literally.

Also read: Showers bring respite in coastal, central Karnataka

Shruthi R G, a resident of Basavanagudi, said the heat was rising with each passing day.

"Once famed for its greenery, Bengaluru now resembles a boiling cauldron," she said. "In the past few days, it has become difficult to even walk on the street for half-an-hour during mid-day," Shruthi said.

Even though the sky looked partly cloudy in some parts of Bengaluru, the IMD director said that won't help much in bringing down the mercury.

According to Patil, the partly cloudy weather actually contributes to humidity, making people feel that heat has increased. Since March 24, the maximum temperature in Bengaluru has remained at 35 degrees celsius. And if the forecast is anything to go by, it will remain unchanged for the next four to five days.

Although some parts of coastal and South Interior Karnataka experienced isolated rainfall over the weekend, the temperatures have remained unchanged. Kalaburagi hit the 40-degree mark on Sunday and the temperature is forecast to rise further in the coming days.