Thundershowers lash Bengaluru's east, southeast; temperature dips below 20°C

Bengaluru: After a ferocious hailstorm pummelled Bengaluru’s central areas last week, powerful thundershowers lashed many suburbs in the city’s east and southeast in the early hours of Monday.

The rain received between midnight and 5.30 am marked the second strong spell of pre-monsoon showers in Bengaluru and adjoining areas, including Kolar and Chikkaballapur.

Automatic weather stations operated by the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC) recorded more than 40 mm of rainfall at three places: Budigere 54.5 mm, Seegehalli 46.5 mm and Mandur 41 mm.

Avalahalli recorded 31.5 mm, Doddagattiganabbe 31.5 mm, Doddabanahalli 30 mm, Lakkondahalli 21.5 mm and Hagadur 20.5 mm, according to the KSNDMC.

The India Meteorological Department’s Bengaluru City observatory recorded 11.3 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am. The observatory has recorded 169 mm of rainfall this year, 103 mm above normal.

The pre-monsoon thundershowers have begun to significantly reduce the oppressive summer heat. After several weeks, the maximum temperature has fallen below 34°C.

At 5.30 pm on Monday, Bengaluru City recorded a maximum temperature of 33.4°C, down 0.9°C from normal. The maximum temperature at HAL Airport stood at 34.2°C, just 0.1°C above normal.

Minimum temperatures are falling significantly too.

At 8.30 am, the minimum temperature in Bengaluru City was 19.2°C, 3.1°C below the normal average. HAL Airport recorded 19°C, down 2°C. Both readings indicate relatively cool mornings and nights.

Relative humidity also showed sharp variations. At 8.30 am, it was 98%, meaning the air was almost completely saturated with moisture, indicating rain or dew/fog in the early morning. However, by 5.30 pm, the relative humidity had dropped to 44% as the sun warmed the air, making it feel drier, according to IMD data.

Thunderstorm until May 8

The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph until May 8.