If you've been in Bengaluru lately, you've probably been reaching for an extra blanket. The city has been experiencing some serious winter chills, with temperatures dipping and a distinct nip in the air. But here's the twist in this weather story: despite the cold, our city is actually dealing with a significant lack of rain. It’s a strange paradox, but the numbers show Bengaluru Urban has a staggering 47% rainfall deficiency for the northeast monsoon season so far.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Bengaluru Urban is facing a massive 47% deficiency in northeast monsoon rainfall between October 1 and November 27.
- ✓ The city's temperature recently dropped to 16.7 degrees Celsius, which is 1.6 degrees lower than the November average.
- ✓ Upcoming rain is expected due to two systems: Cyclonic storm Ditwah and the remnant of cyclonic storm ‘Senyar’.
- ✓ Some districts like Bidar and Kolar have seen a huge excess in rainfall, with 67% and 60% surplus respectively.
- ✓ Dense fog at Kempegowda International Airport caused delays for around 41 flights on the morning of November 27.
A Tale of Two Extremes in Karnataka
It's a really fascinating and complex picture when you look at the whole state. While Bengaluru is parched, Karnataka as a whole has only a 6% rainfall deficiency for the same period. This means our city's situation is pretty unique and, honestly, quite severe. We’re not alone in this dry spell, though; we have the third-highest deficiency in the entire state.
The districts in North Interior Karnataka seem to be bearing the brunt of it. Bagalkote has recorded the highest deficiency at a whopping 53%, with Haveri close behind at 50%. Vijayapura and Kalaburagi are also feeling the heat, with deficits of -46% and -45% respectively. It’s a tough situation for a huge part of the state.
But on the flip side, some districts are dealing with the complete opposite problem. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru, Bidar has seen a massive 67% excess in rainfall! Kolar isn’t far behind with a 60% surplus, and Hassan has received 50% more rain than usual. It’s truly a story of extremes playing out across Karnataka right now.
"Brrrr, Bangalore is Freezing!"
So, about that cold. It's not just in your head! The data backs it up. On Wednesday night, the city officially recorded a minimum temperature of 16.7 degrees Celsius. To put that in perspective, it's nearly 1.6 degrees Celsius lower than what Bengaluru typically experiences in November. No wonder everyone's pulling out their hoodies and jackets.
As you can imagine, social media has been having a field day with this. People have taken to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to share some hilarious takes on the winter chills. Comedian and entrepreneur Tanmay Bhat summed it up perfectly, simply writing, "Also brrrr Bangalore is freezing." It's a whole mood.
Many are even comparing the chill to the notoriously harsh winters of North India, with one person commenting, "Bengaluru is legit giving North Indian winter vibes." Another joked, "Bhai, if Bangalore is freezing, Kasol is absolute zero." The memes and witty comments are flowing freely, proving that Bengalureans know how to find humor even when they're shivering.
But Hold On, Rain is on the Way
Just when we were getting used to the dry, cold weather, there's a major plot twist. According to C.S. Patil from IMD Bengaluru, rain is expected over the next few days. The reason? A deep depression over Sri Lanka has intensified into a cyclonic storm, and it's heading our way. Actually, there are two systems at play here.
The main one to watch is the Cyclonic storm Ditwah, which formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal near the Sri Lanka coast. The IMD bulletin on Thursday was incredibly specific, noting that as of 11:30 hrs IST on November 27, it was located about 90 km from Batticaloa and 700 km south-southeast of Chennai. This storm is on the move.
The forecast predicts it will continue moving north-northwestwards and is expected to reach the waters off the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh by the early morning of November 30. There's also another system, the remnant of cyclonic storm “Senyar” over the Strait of Malacca, but it's expected to weaken into a low-pressure area. Still, these systems are powerful enough to bring much-needed rain to our region.
The Forecast: What to Actually Expect
So, what does this mean for us? Rain is expected to start over parts of South Interior Karnataka from November 28, and then spread to Coastal and North Interior Karnataka from November 29, likely continuing all the way until December 3. For those of us in and around the capital, we should prepare for some heavy showers. The forecast specifically calls out Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru South, Tumakuru, Kolar, and Chickballapur as areas that could receive heavy rain.
This changing weather pattern has already had some knock-on effects. On November 27, dense fog at Kempegowda International Airport led to significant disruptions, with a spokesperson confirming that around 41 flights were delayed. The IMD predicts a generally cloudy sky for the week, with maximum temperatures around 29 degrees and minimums settling at 19 degrees Celsius.
One more thing to keep an eye on is the city's air quality. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's Sameer app, Bengaluru's AQI recently hit 115, which is in the 'moderate' category. This is an increase from the previous days and can cause breathing discomfort, especially for people with lung or heart conditions. It's a good reminder to be mindful of the air we're breathing, especially as the weather shifts.
Conclusion
The bottom line is, Bengaluru's weather is on a rollercoaster ride right now. We've gone from a severe rainfall deficit and unseasonably cold nights to the brink of receiving heavy rains from an approaching cyclonic storm. It's a classic example of how unpredictable and complex weather systems can be. So, keep your umbrellas handy, but maybe don't put those sweaters away just yet. It looks like we're in for an interesting week.
