‘Abnormal’ October breaks City’s records

‘Abnormal’ October breaks City’s records
Deccan Herald

With the rains that lashed Bangalore on October 24, two all-time high records have been shattered at one go - that of the wettest October ever and that of highest annual rainfall ever received in last 100 years.

Earlier, the highest annual rainfall record was set in 1998 when the City received 1,432.2 mm of rainfall. This year, the figures have already crossed 1435.3 mm. The wettest October title was clinched when Bangalore crossed the recorded high of 522.2 mm set in 1956.

According to Meteorology Centre Director Dr A L Koppar, the City has crossed the normal annual rainfall of 970 mm spelling immense amount of hardships for Bangloreans.

“It is advisable to stay indoors for the next couple of days. We are expecting intense rain activity in the next few days. Heavy rain alerts have already been given in many places in South Karnataka,” he added.

Terming this year’s October as an ‘abnormal month’, Dr Koppar said that the incessant rain activity was likely to continue for the next several days as Bangalore was coming in the path of the weather system where a low pressure area over South West Bay of Bengal and adjoining Tamil Nadu coast has been formed.

“Various records have been broken in the past few years which is not a good sign in itself and can have disastrous implications,” Dr Koppar added.

Records broken over Bangalore in recent past

Year Parameter Rainfall (mm) Previous record

1999 Total rainfall in May 200.6 194.4 (1991)

2000 Total rainfall in Feb 57.7 53.9 (1979)

2001 Total rainfall in April 323.8 122.5 (1963)

2003 Driest May 1.3 1.3 (1891)

2004 Total rainfall in May 207.9 200.6 (1999)

2005 Highest annual rainfall 1453.3 1432.2 (1998)

2005 Total rainfall in Oct 525 522 (1956)