Bengaluru rains due to two cyclonic circulations: IMD

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: India Meteorological Department (IMD) disclosed that Bengaluru and other parts of south Karnataka were receiving rains as the region is being affected by two cyclonic circulations.

Cyclonic circulations refer to the counterclockwise swirling motion of winds caused by low-pressure areas, which results in rainfall (in the northern hemisphere). IMD added that one cyclonic circulation was located off the coast of Tamil Nadu in the Bay of Bengal. Meanwhile the other was near Lakshwadeep Islands.

Scientist-F at IMD Geeta Agnihotri said that thanks to the two systems, the state was set to receive “good rains.” “There is a cyclonic circulation over south west Bay of Bengal off the coast of north Tamil Nadu between 1.5 and 3.1 kms above mid sea level. There is another cyclonic circulation over Lakshwadeep Islands area and adjoining south east Arabian Sea between 3.6 and 5.8 kms above mid sea level. One system is present off Kerala coast and the other is off the Tamil Nadu. So definitely this area, particularly parts of south interior Karnataka are expected to receive very good rainfall,” she said.

“They are large scale systems. They are not localised. They will not just give rainfall over Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions of Tamil Nadu. In fact, the system over Lakshwadeep Islands is very strong and might be pumping moisture responsible for this rainfall,” she added.

Agnihotri clarified that these heavy rains were a harbinger of the upcoming monsoon season. “Before the monsoon sets in, this kind of rainfall occurs. What we call as the monsoon trough starts setting in. These are essentially rains before the monsoon onset takes place,” she said. “Knots of trough are running from north-east Madhya Pradesh to north-interior Tamil Nadu across Vidarbha and interior Karnataka at 0.9 kilometres above sea level,” she added.

“Trough is a turning of the winds. When you see the winds are turning in a clockwise direction in a spatial scale, it essentially means that there is moisture incursion happening in that area,” she explained.

Showers wash over the city

Rains pattered the streets of Bengaluru on Monday as the city received at least 3 mm of rain and saw some rain damage.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) revealed that Bengaluru city limits received 3 mm as of 5:30 pm on Monday. Meanwhile Bengaluru International Airport and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport area received 3 mm and 36 mm of rain respectively at the same time.

Bruhata Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials said they hadn’t received any major complaints of rain damage. “We got one complaint about fallen branches in Hagadur ward in Mahadevpura,” a BBMP official said.

Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) said that strong winds had toppled some electricity, disrupting power. “We received complaints about four electricity poles being uprooted in Whitefield due to the squall. Power has gone out in some areas but it is being taken care of. Poles are being replaced,” a BESCOM official said.