Summer heat grips Mysuru, Kodagu sizzles above normal

Mysuru: With maximum temperatures crossing 35°C for the past two days, Mysuru is witnessing an unofficial curfew-like situation between 12pm and 4pm, as residents avoid stepping out in the scorching heat.Kodagu, usually known for its pleasant climate and as a popular holiday destination, is also experiencing unusually high temperatures. According to data from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), the district recorded a maximum temperature of 35.6°C on Saturday and 35.4°C on Friday. Earlier this week, temperatures hovered between 33°C and 34°C.Residents say peak summer conditions are being felt much earlier than usual. During afternoon hours, Mysuru wears a deserted look, with many people preferring to stay indoors. "We are waiting for a couple of good rains," said H Venkatesh, a resident of Bogadi.The neighbouring Kodagu district, too, is recording higher-than-normal temperatures. The district registered a maximum temperature of 33.7°C on both Friday and Saturday, as per KSNDMC data.Meanwhile, inflows into major reservoirs remain low. As of Sunday, the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam recorded an inflow of 212 cusecs, while the Kabini dam in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district received 76 cusecs. The Hemavathi dam in Hassan district recorded an inflow of 52 cusecs.G Srinivasa Reddy, former director of KSNDMC, said the impact of global warming is being increasingly felt across Karnataka. "Since Feb, several parts of the state, especially coastal areas, have witnessed above-normal temperatures," he said.He warned that, barring a few taluks in south interior Karnataka, most regions could experience temperatures 2°C to 4°C above normal this year. He added that the La Niña phase is weakening and that El Niño conditions may emerge during the middle of the monsoon season, which could further influence temperature patterns.Light rain likely in few districtsAccording to KSNDMC forecasts, light rain or thundershowers are likely at one or two places in Hassan, Kodagu, Mysuru and Davanagere districts. Dry weather is expected to prevail in Chikkamagaluru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya and Shivamogga districts.