Bengaluru, known for its moderate climate, recently experienced a meteorological anomaly as it witnessed the highest single-day rainfall in June in over a century. On June 2, 2024, the city was drenched by a staggering 111.1 mm of rainfall, breaking a record that had stood for 133 years.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru, confirmed this historic rainfall event, emphasizing its significance in the city’s meteorological history. The previous record, dating back to June 16, 1891, was surpassed by a substantial margin, underscoring the intensity of the recent deluge.
However, alongside the awe-inspiring nature of this rainfall, it also brought significant challenges to the city. The downpour transformed streets into slushy pathways and raised questions regarding the preparedness of the civic authorities for the monsoon season. Despite assurances of readiness, the scale of the rainfall event highlighted the vulnerability of Bengaluru’s infrastructure to such extreme weather occurrences. IMD data revealed that while Bengaluru city received the lion’s share of rainfall, with 111.1 mm recorded, other areas also experienced notable precipitation. HAL Airport recorded 47.7 mm of rainfall during the same period, contributing to the overall impact of the deluge across the region.
Looking ahead, IMD forecasts indicate continued precipitation in the coming days, with a general forecast of cloudy skies and moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers, particularly in isolated areas. Maximum temperatures are expected to hover around 30°C, while minimum temperatures are forecasted to be around 19°C, providing a glimpse into the weather pattern anticipated for Bengaluru and its surroundings over the next 48 hours.
As Bengaluru navigates through this unusual weather phenomenon, the city’s resilience and adaptability will be put to the test, underscoring the importance of robust infrastructure and proactive disaster preparedness measures in urban planning and governance.
