Bengaluru Breaks All-Time July Temperature Record Reaching 33.6 Degrees Celsius
Bengaluru broke its all-time July temperature record on Tuesday, recording a maximum of 33.6 degrees Celsius amid a significant monsoon deficit. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the unusual heat, which saw temperatures rise up to 3.9 degrees Celsius above normal near the Kempegowda and HAL airport observatories, is expected to continue for the next seven days due to a lack of cloud cover and rain.
According to IMD data, the previous record of 33.1 degrees Celsius was set over a century ago on July 1, 1914, and matched on July 1, 1926. More recently, the city recorded 32.7 degrees Celsius on July 1, 2021.
On Wednesday, Bengaluru recorded a maximum of 32.2 degrees Celsius, which is 3.9 degrees Celsius above the normal July maximum of 28.3 degrees Celsius. The observatories at both Kempegowda and HAL airports recorded 33.1 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
Rajavel Manickam, a senior scientist with IMD Bengaluru, said that no rain has been forecast for the next few days. He noted that light rainfall might occur later due to local convection, but currently, no weather systems are forming in the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal to bring monsoon rain.
Manickam stated that there is a 30 percent deficit in the monsoon. While a maximum temperature of 30 to 31 degrees Celsius is normal for July, this year's temperature rise is highly unusual. IMD officials explained that the soil is also losing its moisture due to the lack of monsoon currents, lack of cloud cover, and increased sunlight. This has led to a rise in daytime temperatures, while night temperatures remain around normal or slightly below normal. Officials cited El Nino as one of the factors leading to the poor monsoon.
The temperature rise is affecting other parts of Karnataka as well, with the IMD forecasting a rise in maximum temperatures by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius for most parts of the state. On Wednesday, Koppal and Raichur recorded maximum temperatures of 38.8 and 36 degrees Celsius, respectively. Kalaburgi recorded 36.1 degrees Celsius, while Bidar recorded 36.6 degrees Celsius.
