Bengaluru experienced a dramatic weather shift this week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting rain and gusty winds across multiple districts in Karnataka over the weekend. The city, which has recently endured scorching summer heat, saw its first significant rainfall on Thursday, May 1, 2025, providing a much-needed respite for residents.
Showers lashed various areas in Bengaluru, including Kammanahalli Main Road, Mariyappa Road, HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar, and Banaswadi, as the city recorded 86.3mm of rainfall in April—an excess of 59% compared to the usual 54.3mm. This wet April set the stage for a rainy start to May, with the IMD predicting further rain and thunderstorms throughout the first week of the month.
On Friday, May 2, 2025, Bengaluru woke up to cloudy skies, with light rainfall expected. The minimum temperature was forecasted to be around 23 degrees Celsius, rising to a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius. The humidity was reported at 71%, and winds were expected to blow from the west at 10 km/h. As the day progressed, the IMD warned of thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls, particularly in coastal areas and districts of South Interior Karnataka.
All districts in south interior Karnataka were expected to see light to moderate rain accompanied by gusty winds, with speeds reaching up to 50 km/h. The IMD advised residents to remain cautious, especially in areas prone to strong winds, as the rainfall marked the onset of pre-monsoon activity, providing some relief from the intense summer temperatures.
However, the weather also caused disruptions. On the night of May 1, five flights bound for Bengaluru were diverted to Chennai due to adverse weather conditions. These included two international flights and three domestic services. Passengers on these flights remained onboard during the unscheduled stop, and while airlines provided basic refreshments, many expressed discomfort over the extended confinement.
The diverted flights included an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad with 135 passengers, a Cathay Pacific service from Hong Kong carrying 296 passengers, and another IndiGo flight from Nagpur with 127 passengers. The situation was clarified by a spokesperson from Bengaluru International Airport, who stated that the diversions were solely due to weather and not air traffic congestion.
As the weekend approached, the IMD issued a Yellow Alert for Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka, predicting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The forecast indicated that rain would continue through May 6, with chances of showers every day. This weather pattern was attributed to a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, which was moving westward toward Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
On Friday morning, May 2, heavy rainfall affected 111 out of Bengaluru’s 243 wards. A tragic incident occurred when an auto-rickshaw driver was killed after a tree fell on his vehicle due to strong winds. This incident underscored the dangers posed by the sudden and severe weather changes.
The IMD reported that while Bengaluru received only 20 mm of rainfall on May 1, the accompanying strong winds and localized thunderstorms caused significant disruption. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 20.5 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius on that day. The area of Vijayanagar in the southwest reported the highest rainfall, measuring 59 mm.
As residents brace for more rain, the IMD and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) have advised caution, especially in low-lying areas where localized flooding could occur. The forecast for the next few days includes a mix of rain and cloudy skies, with temperatures expected to hover between 21°C and 34°C.
In summary, Bengaluru's weather is undergoing a significant transformation, as the city shifts from a dry spell to a period of increased rainfall and thunderstorms. This change not only brings relief from the heat but also poses risks, as evidenced by the recent tragic incident. Residents are urged to stay informed and prepared as the rains continue to impact daily life in the city.
