Bengaluru: After entering the southwest monsoon season with a healthy rainfall surplus, buoyed by robust pre-monsoon showers, Bengaluru witnessed a dramatic decline in rainfall during July, recording its second-driest July in 108 years. India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) city observatory recorded just 23mm of rainfall during the month, the lowest July total since 1918, when only 18.5mm was recorded.The prolonged dry spell weakened Bengaluru’s southwest monsoon performance. “At the beginning of July, the city had received cumulative southwest monsoon rainfall of around 70mm. However, with only about 23mm of rainfall recorded during the month, the seasonal total rose to just 94mm. Bengaluru typically receives between 80mm and 100mm of rainfall in July,” said CS Patil, scientist at IMD.The dry conditions persisted through most of July before parts of Bengaluru received light to moderate rainfall on Saturday. According to IMD, the showers were triggered by an offshore trough along the west coast. “An offshore trough at mean sea level, extending from south Gujarat to Kerala along the west coast, has resulted in widespread rainfall over coastal and Malnad Karnataka. Its influence has also extended to parts of south-interior Karnataka, including Bengaluru. However, this is likely to be a short-lived spell. Rainfall activity is expected to weaken again before reviving between Aug 6 and Aug 12. Thereafter, monsoon activity is likely to remain weak for much of Aug,” Patil said.Despite the exceptionally dry July, Bengaluru’s annual rainfall remains within the normal range, largely because of the abundant pre-monsoon rainfall received earlier this year. “Generally the wettest months for Bengaluru is Aug-Sept and a few extended days in Oct. We are hopeful that with a sustained rainfall extending for a few days during these months, Bengaluru will inch closer to record near normal rainfall,” Patil clarified.
