BENGALURU, 6 MARCH

Bengaluru, once known for its pleasant weather, is experiencing an unusually hot and dry spell, raising concerns about a prolonged and intense summer.

The City has already witnessed temperatures exceeding the usual February average by a significant margin, prompting warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) about the possibility of heatwaves in the coming months.

A Prasad, a senior scientist at the IMD's Bengaluru office, told Salar News, “We are seeing a clear rise in temperatures year-on-year, which is a sign of global warming. The average temperature in February this year touched the temperature of 34.5 degrees Celsius, which is nearly 5.5 degrees Celsius higher than the normal for this month. Last year the temperatures touched only 29 degree Celsius, which is the normal temperature for Bengaluru.”

This early surge in temperature has sparked worries among elderly people and children. Heatwaves can cause heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even heatstroke, posing significant health risks.

“The upcoming summer might be harsher than last year, this aligns with the global trend of rising temperatures, with 2023 recording the second-warmest March in 174 years.” warned Prasad. The scorching temperatures are exacerbating the existing water crisis in the City. With many bore-wells running dry and water scarcity becoming a pressing issue, the combined effect of heat and water shortage could pose a significant challenge for Bengaluru's administration.

He further said that the potential for heat waves, particularly in coastal and northern Karnataka, adds another layer of concern.

While the IMD predicts that the El Niño effect, which is contributing to the current heatwave, might weaken after March, the long-term trend of rising temperatures, various measures are crucial. Salar News