Bengaluru records hottest day of the year at 34.6°C; Temperatures expected to soar in coming months
Bengaluru: Bengaluru experienced the hottest day of the year on Friday, with the maximum temperature reaching 34.6°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This was 1.9°C higher than the usual temperature for this time of year. The temperature on Saturday was slightly lower at 34.4°C.
IMD forecasts, as cited by Deccan Herald, suggest that temperatures will continue to rise, with a maximum of 35°C expected on Sunday. The minimum temperature is expected to hover around 19°C next week.
C. S. Patil, Director of the Meteorological Centre, warned that temperatures in Bengaluru could soar to 39°C between April and the second week of May, though a slight decrease is anticipated after mid-May.
Patil told DH that the rising temperatures are not limited to Bengaluru, with North Interior Karnataka (NIK) likely to see maximum temperatures 2-4°C above normal. Kalaburagi, for instance, has already reached 39.2°C, about 2°C higher than usual. In May, several areas in NIK, including Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Yadgir, Raichur, and Bagalkot, could experience maximum temperatures reaching 45°C.
He attributed this temperature spike to rapid urbanisation and the heat island effect, which have contributed significantly to the rise in temperatures in Bengaluru and across the state.
The weather will remain dry in Karnataka until Monday, after which isolated light rain is expected in South Interior Karnataka, including Bengaluru, on March 11 and 12, due to a system developing over Tamil Nadu, the report added.
The IMD also predicts a higher likelihood of isolated light rainfall across Coastal Karnataka, particularly Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengaluru (PTI): At least 21 Congress legislators in Karnataka left for a foreign tour ahead of the state budget on Wednesday, as a power tussle continues within the ruling party.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to present a record 17th budget on March 6, soon after the legislative session begins. The session will continue until March 27.
It is learnt that the MLAs travelling abroad are considered loyal to the CM.
According to Congress sources, 11 MLAs flew out on Tuesday, while 10 others are scheduled to leave for various foreign destinations with their families.
Sources said C Puttaranga Shetty, B Devendrappa, H D Thammaiah, Hampanagouda Badarli, B M Nagaraj, A Vasanth Kumar, D Thimmaiah and Sharanagouda Patil Bayyapur are among those travelling abroad.
The legislators are touring Australia and New Zealand. They will first fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and then continue their journey to Australia and New Zealand, sources added.
The MLAs clarified that the trip is personal and has nothing to do with the party or the government.
"We are going on a private tour. It’s just my family and me," Thammaiah told reporters at the Kempegowda International Airport here.
The Chikkamagaluru MLA said the decision had been taken during the Belagavi legislative session.
"Those interested in the tour are travelling. We often go abroad, but this is the first time it has made news," Thammaiah said.
Badarli sought to clarify that all the MLAs were funding the tour themselves and that it had nothing to do with politics.
"We travel abroad two or three times. Earlier, we visited Muscat, European countries and the United States," he said.
Puttaranga Shetty said the MLAs would return on March 2 or 3.
Responding to suggestions that those travelling belonged to Siddaramaiah’s camp, Shetty said, "The CM is not aware of our trip. Why drag his name into this unnecessarily?"
MLAs considered close to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said there was nothing unusual about "common friends travelling abroad together."
"We too have travelled abroad. What is wrong with that? I was not invited. Our team is different from theirs, but it is not factionalism," MLA H C Balakrishna said.
MLA Ravi Ganiga said no one could remove the incumbent or change the government merely because of a foreign tour, adding that the Congress high command takes appropriate decisions at the right time.
