Summer checks in early, parts of K’taka on heat alert

Bengaluru: When Percy Bysshe Shelley famously wrote ‘If winter comes, can spring be far behind', in his ‘Ode to the West Wind', it was an invocation to the West Wind to emerge as a powerful vehicle of change and rejuvenation. However, on Saturday, as mid-Feb maximum temperatures in parts of Karnataka saw an abnormal surge, triggering heatwave alerts in northern Karnataka and the coastal areas, it was perhaps time to pen an ‘Ode to the East Wind' as meteorologists cited an absence of moisture-laden winds "sweeping in from the Bay of Bengal" as the reason behind this unusual spike in heat.So, ‘if spring comes with such a scorcher, can a torturous summer be far behind', is the question to ask!
On Saturday, Bengaluru logged a maximum of 31.4 degrees Celsius, the highest so far this year — and we're not even into the summer months — while areas around the city's airport touched 32 degrees. Coastal and north-interior regions also saw elevated readings: 32.75 degrees in Udupi, 32.6 degrees in Mundgod and 32.4 degrees in Haliyal. The maximum average temperature for Feb in Bengaluru is around 29 degrees Celsius, while for the rest of the state it's between 29 and 31 degrees.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Uttara Kannada, where temperatures are likely to hover between 33 and 34 degrees over the next two days. A Yellow Alert has been sounded for adjoining Udupi district, warning of possible heatwave conditions. In Bengaluru, maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 29 and 31 degrees over the next two days. C S Patil, scientist at IMD Bengaluru, warned of a harsh summer ahead. "Summer is likely to reach its peak in April-May across Karnataka, with parts of north Karnataka witnessing 43 to 45 degrees Celsius. In Bengaluru, mercury levels are expected to go up to 39 to 40 degrees during the same time," he said. Explaining the unusual Feb spike, an IMD scientist said: "Typically, February sees winds sweeping in from the Bay of Bengal side, bringing in moisture and moderating daytime temperatures. However, this year, the absence of those winds has left the air significantly dry." Meteorologists said dry air and clear skies have intensified surface heating, leading to sharp daytime rises and rapid cooling by late evening. However, Patil said some respite may be imminent. "Prevailing upper air cyclonic circulation over the Indian Ocean region and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to reach the coast of Tamil Nadu and infuse much-needed moisture." He further said: "From Tuesday, the maximum temperature is expected to come down for a few days, before surging again by the last week of this month."