It’s raining more in Bangalore

It’s raining more in Bangalore
June Logs 20 Cm Rainfall; Could It Be Global Warming?
Jayashree Nandi | TNN

Bangalore: If you thought freak weather was a faraway occurrence, then digest this: Bangalore received 20 cm of rainfall in the first half of the June monsoon. Unusual, because Bangalore has received such an amount of rainfall only thrice since 1961, and that too not in the first half but in the entire month.
The last time we received above-20-cm rainfall in June was in 1996. We still have 15 days for this month’s quota. Meteorological department predicts at least 3-4 cm more of rainfall. “We received 22 cm in 1983, 21 cm in 1991 and 23 cm in 1996. In June 1996, there was a major cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, which came very close to Chennai and could have affected both cities. The average rainfall in June is 8 cm. Data shows a considerable increase in pre-monsoon and monsoon rain over Bangalore.”
In 1961, the average pre-monsoon rainfall over Bangalore was 5 cm and nearly doubled to 9 cm in 2008. Likewise, Bangalore’s average monsoon rainfall of 40 cm in 1961 has now climbed to 52 cm. “I don’t know if this rise can be attributed to global warming, the impact of which is seen over a vast area. It cannot be sea-surface temperature rise as well because that can affect the climate nearby, but not a particular location,” said Met director A Muthuchami.
What ails Bangalore?
Humidity has increased because of increase in the amount of water consumed. There could be two reasons — the land is getting heated rapidly; the friction due to undulated surfaces from buildings. Both can enhance rainfall.
A Muthuchami | MET DIRECTOR ‘Freaky’ describes the weather best
Bangalore: Over the last couple of decades, the monsoon has been more intense in Bangalore, says the meteorological department, which is closely watching a changing pattern in the city’s early monsoon.
The change could be a result of global warming and rising temperature in the city.
Such an increase in rainfall hasn’t been noted in other parts of the state. During weak/ break monsoon conditions, coastal Karnataka gets less rain and the interiors get more rain.
TEMPERATURE INCREASED
This could be an intensified result of the same phenomenon. The wind speed is also less during this period.
The temperature in Bangalore has also increased by 1.5 degrees over the past 50 years, which could be attributed to rapid and intense urbanization.
Most environmental bodies and experts attribute such changes in climate patterns to climate change. The meteorological department said only a scientific assessment of the reasons can confirm what is causing these changes.
RAINFALL DECREASED
However, studies of the agromet department show that annual rainfall has decreased by 5-8% after 1990, over the years. Parts of the state will face a severe water crunch in the coming years and are advised to change the cropping pattern to drought-resistant crops. Increase in cyclones, storms and unusual rain are all seen as traits of climate change.