Thundershowers with strong gusts, lightning lash east Bengaluru; more rain likely today

Bengaluru: Light to moderate rain accompanied by thundershowers, lightning, and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph lashed several parts of Bengaluru, particularly the eastern and southeastern areas, on Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) HAL Airport observatory, which represents the city's eastern and southeastern regions, recorded 20.6 mm of rainfall during the 12-hour period ending at 8.30 pm. In contrast, the Bengaluru City observatory received only 3 mm of rainfall during the same period, an IMD official said.

The pre-monsoon thundershowers marked a sharp contrast to rainfall patterns observed last month.

In May, the situation was reversed, with the Bengaluru City observatory — the city's base station — recording a substantial 196 mm of rainfall, while the HAL Airport observatory received just 54.7 mm, according to IMD data.

While Bengaluru City recorded rainfall well above its May average of 128.7 mm, HAL Airport received significantly less than its normal May average of 110.4 mm.

However, June has begun on a different note.

During the first two days of the month, HAL Airport recorded 26.8 mm of rainfall, compared to just 3 mm at the Bengaluru City observatory.

According to the IMD, the pre-monsoon showers over Bengaluru have been triggered by an upper-air cyclonic circulation.

The weather department has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 kmph at many places across Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, and Ramanagara districts on Wednesday.

Temperatures are expected to remain slightly above normal.

For Bengaluru City, the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 33°C and 22°C, respectively. At HAL Airport, the maximum temperature is forecast at 32°C, slightly above normal, while the minimum is expected to be 22°C, marginally below normal.