BENGALURU 4 MARCH

The Silicon Valley of India, once known as the “no ceiling fan city”, can no longer boast of its pleasant weather, with daytime peak temperatures reaching 40°C this summer.

While the summer is yet to arrive in Bengaluru, the city has already recorded 34°C on 3 March, which was forecasted to touch 35°C on 4 March. This means that a consistent rise in temperature is expected in the summer months of April–May reveals the data of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

It will not be surprising if Bengaluru finds its place among the hottest cities in India this summer, as it is likely to hit a record 40°C during April–May, said CS Patil, a senior scientist with IMD, Bengaluru.

“Bengaluru will witness a hotter summer compared to last year when the maximum temperature hit 39.4°C. This is set to rise by 0.6°C this year, which means it will touch the 40°C mark. This is usually the weather in the northern interior part of Karnataka,” he said.

Warning that 2pm will be the hottest time of the day in the city, Patil urged people to follow precautionary measures to avoid sunstroke. He said people should avoid stepping out between 11am and 3pm. They should consume enough liquids and nutritious food but avoid carbonated drinks, he said.

North to witness 43°C to 45°C

The IMD data also revealed that the northern interior parts of the state, which include districts such as Kalburgai, Yadgir, Bagalkot, Raichur and Vijayapura, are very likely to experience a maximum temperture of 45°C during April–May.

Though pre-monsoon showers are expected to arrive towards the end of March, starting in April, they will occur in isolated parts of Karnataka, bringing some relief to several parts of the state, including Bengaluru.