B'luru Records Its Wettest Ever May, More Rainfall Likely: IMD

Bengaluru has recorded its wettest May since weather records began, with 344.4 mm of rain reported as of May 27, more than 2.5 times the monthly average of 128.7 mm, said senior India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials.

- Arun Dev

BENGALURU: This surpasses the previous all-time high of 305.4 mm logged in May 2023, breaking a decades-old record from 1957 when the city saw 280 mm. With four days left in the month, the rainfall tally may climb even higher.

The IMD confirmed the onset of the southwest monsoon over parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru, earlier this week. "With the onset of monsoon, Bengaluru city will experience more rain in the coming days," said N Puviarasan, director-in-charge of IMD Bengaluru.

According to the IMD, this year's extreme rainfall was more than the previous record of 305.4 mm set in 2023, with the earlier highest being 280 mm in 1957. Four of the top five wettest Mays in the city's recorded history have occurred since 2015, including 2022 and 2017, signalling a shift in climate behaviour in South Interior Karnataka.

Across the state, the impact of this year's intense pre-monsoon showers has been widespread. Bengaluru Urban district has registered 340.6 mm of rainfall between March 1 and May 27, overshooting its seasonal norm by 155 mm. South interior Karnataka, which includes Bengaluru, received 249.1 mm of rain—double the average 124.1 mm. Meanwhile, North interior Karnataka recorded 201.8 mm, almost triple its usual seasonal total of 67.5 mm.