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Bangaloreans welcomed the light summer showers which ushered in respite from the scorching heat on Wednesday.

Even as cricket fans fumed over a cancelled IPL match, shopoholics indulged in “drenched” shopping, while traffic jams, clogged drains and water-logged roads reminded the BBMP of its rain-preparedness.

Mercury levels soared on Tuesday, with the City recording the highest temperature at 37.5 degree Celsius. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was 32.4 degrees Celsius and the minimum 22.3 degrees Celsius. The City received 4.2mm rainfall, lowering the mercury levels by five degrees.

There is good news for the next 48 hours, with the Meteoroligcal Department forecasting cloudy weather and more showers.

B Puttanna, Director of the Meteorological Department, explained that these were not pre-monsoon showers. “It is normal to receive showers during April-end, following the low pressure formed over the Comorin area (south of Kanyakumari) associated with upper air cyclonic circular. Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in the south interior and coastal Karnataka regions and the interior parts of Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Taken by surprise

The rain took Nagarjun D by surprise when he got stuck on Cunningham Road. He parked his two-wheeler near a bus stop and took shelter there, enjoying the cooling effect.

“Since it was not torrential, the showers were enjoyable. I halted for some time to soak in the first few drops of rain, accompanied by the fragrance of the soil,” he added.

Parts of the City, including Whitefield and HAL Layout, experienced a relatively higher amount of rainfall.

Says Sanjeevini Singh, a resident of Whitefield, “All of a sudden, it began pouring. I was out to purchase something and I got drenched. It was unexpected,” she added.
Waterlogging in many parts of the City reportedly caused a lot of inconvenience to commuters. Says Kavana, “Wonder what it will be like during monsoon, if this is what it is in summer.”

A pedestrian on MG Road complained that he was splashed with muddy water when a two-wheeler rider passed through a large puddle at the Brigade Road Junction. “If mild drizzles can fill the City’s potholes, I wonder what will happen when there is a heavy rainfall,” he said.