Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Monsoon showers are set to arrive in Karnataka by early June, with Bengaluru expecting rain by June 13 or 14, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The arrival could be delayed if Cyclone Remal forms in the Bay of Bengal.
Currently, the southwest monsoon has already advanced over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. "The southwest monsoon is likely to reach Kerala's coast by June 1 or 2. By June 6 or 7, it will hit Karnataka's coast and will spread over south-interior areas by June 14," stated senior meteorologist C.S. Patil.
Preparations in Bengaluru
Though Bengaluru has seen no rain recently, showers are expected by month's end. The monsoon should arrive in the city by the second week of June, added Patil. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is preparing for potential flooding and waterlogging due to heavy downpours.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar inspected flood-prone areas in the city on Wednesday. They directed officials to be ready for any situation during the monsoon season.
Cyclone Remal Update
IMD warns that Cyclone Remal is likely to form over the east-central Bay of Bengal by May 25. This would be the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal during the pre-monsoon season. The low-pressure area over the southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal has shifted northeastwards.
The system is expected to develop into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal by Friday morning and intensify into a cyclonic storm by Saturday morning. The cyclone is predicted to reach Bangladesh and West Bengal as a severe storm by Sunday evening.
Impact on West Bengal
The cyclone is expected to bring widespread rain to south Bengal, including Kolkata, from Saturday. Moderate rain is likely in the city, with heavy showers expected in North and South 24-Parganas and East Midnapore.
According to the IMD Bulletin, "Under favourable synoptic conditions and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, thunderstorms with lightning, along with gusty winds, are likely to affect districts of Bengal."
Fishermen Advisory
The IMD has issued a weather warning to fishermen, advising them to avoid the central and south Bay of Bengal from May 23 and the North Bay of Bengal from May 24 to May 26. Fishermen already at sea are advised to return to the coast.
Heavy rainfall has already hit parts of Kolkata on Thursday morning, following the IMD's cyclone alert. This indicates that the system is starting to impact the region.
