Spoilsport rain ruins Diwali spirit

BANGALORE : Supreeth KS, a class 6 student from Vijayanagar, West Bangalore, was upset at the wet weather on Thursday, "Couldn't the rain have waited for a few days?" All his plans for a grand Diwali celebration came a cropper after it rained on Wednesday and Thursday. While he and other kids were disappointed that they couldn't burst crackers outside, pet owners and senior citizens were grateful for some respite from the noise assault.
Like Supreeth, Latha BS, a resident of Amruthahalli in North Bangalore, was also downcast as her festive plans had gone for a toss. "My cousins and I had got together for the festival and planned a cracker of a festival over this weekend. However, for the first two days, we've been doing nothing but sitting in front of the television in the evening," she said.
Sadly, the dampener is here to stay for a few more days. The metereological department has forecast normal to heavy rain for the next three days with temperature running below normal. Met department director BN Puttanna said a depression off the coast of Chennai and Sri Lanka is showering rain across Karnataka, particularly South Karnataka and Bangalore.
Puttanna said October has recorded the second-highest rainfall for nine years. "Till date this month, 243.3mm of rain has been recorded. In October 2005, Bangalore had received over 600mm," he said. This year, the city recorded maximum rain in September. "Usually, Bangalore receives maximum rain during September. Similarly, we received 319mm last September, the maximum rainfall month of the year," he said.
Forecast: Next 24 hours: Generally cloudy sky. Few spells of rain or thundershowers could occur.Maximum and minimum temperatures could be around 27 and 19 degrees celsius.Next 48 hours: Generally cloudy sky. Few spells of rain or thundershowers. Maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 27 and 19 degrees celsius