Thundershowers lash Bengaluru, other regions as Southwest Monsoon enters Karnataka

The highest rainfall in the city was at Dasarahalli, which received around 78.5 mm. Most parts of the city received moderate showers – between 15.6 mm and 64.4 mm. (Express photo by Jithendra M)

“Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds” is likely over the next seven days, the forecast by the IMD said.

The monsoon entered Karnataka three days after it advanced to Kerala on May 30, two days earlier than the normal onset date of June 1. It is expected to cover the entire state in the next couple of days.

Due to the thundershowers, traffic congestion was reported in several parts of Bengaluru, such as the Hebbal Underpass, KFC Road to Gunjur Road, Chikkajala Kote Cross, Benniganahalli Railway Bridge, and Hebbal Circle.

The early onset has come as a relief for Karnataka following a disastrous monsoon spell last year, due to which more than 220 of the 236 taluks in the state were declared drought-hit. The delay in the onset of monsoon along with the poor spell of rainfall had caused widespread crop loss. The situation aggravated following heatwave conditions in the summer months – especially March and April.

There was some relief from the sweltering conditions during the month of May, due to a two-week spell of pre-monsoon showers starting in the second week of May. As a result, Karnataka received 151 mm of rainfall during the pre-monsoon season from March 1 to May 31, against a normal rainfall of 115 mm for the period.

Rainfall data for the 24-hour period starting 8.30 am on June 1 showed that Bengaluru had received moderate rainfall on Saturday. The highest rainfall in the city was at Dasarahalli, which received around 78.5 mm. Most parts of the city received moderate showers – between 15.6 mm and 64.4 mm.