Bengaluru: Heavy rain in final hours of August 31st ensures 138-year-old record remains unbroken

As late as 8:30 pm on 31st August, Bengaluru had received only 12.6 mm of rain. The record for lowest rain recorded in Bengaluru was observed in August 1885 when only 20.6 mm was received by the city. In the year 1999, the city had received 22 mm of rain. However, heavy rains between 8:30 pm and 11:30 pm changed the dynamics and took the monthly average to 162.7mm. Last year, the month of August was the recipient of 364.2 mm of rainfall. 

The Indian Meteorological Department had attributed this below par to El Niño. This refers to the warming of the surface of the Pacific Ocean that disrupts the rain cycle. The predictions for the month of September are still more positive in comparison. 

As of August 28th, the entire state of Karnataka had received just 52.1 mm of rainfall and this represented a 74% deficit. The predictions had estimated 162.7 mm for the state for the month of August. 

Meanwhile the heavy rains late at night had resulted in a slowing down of traffic across many regions in Bengaluru due to waterlogging. The Bengaluru Police were proactive in giving constant updates for citizens to take into consideration before making plans for travel.