Bengaluru wakes up to unseasonal rain; IMD predicts more showers across Karnataka

BENGALURU: Residents of Bengaluru woke up to an unexpected spell of early morning rain on Sunday, catching many off guard.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this rain is not limited to the state capital but is also expected to impact south interior Karnataka and the Malnad regions.

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, has issued a rain alert, warning of "scattered moderate rain" across southern interior, coastal, and hilly districts of Karnataka.

Meanwhile, dry air is likely to prevail in the northern interior districts. Moderate to heavy fog is also expected, accompanied by scattered showers in various parts of the state.

Key Bengaluru neighborhoods, including MG Road, Jayanagar, Hebbal, Sultanpalya, RT Nagar and RR Nagar, experienced light rainfall on Sunday.

The IMD attributed the unseasonal rain in Bengaluru and other districts to a broader weather phenomenon linked to a cyclone developing off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal.

This weather system has led to widespread showers and cooler temperatures across several districts in Karnataka, including Bengaluru.

The Meteorological Centre in Bengaluru predicted that light rain is likely to continue in the city over the next 48 hours. Temperatures on Sunday were expected to range between 27°C and 17°C, with a further dip to 26°C and 16°C anticipated on Monday.

Additionally, the IMD has issued a severe cold wave alert for Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Raichur districts, warning residents to brace for a significant drop in temperatures.