Southwest monsoon arrives in Bengaluru with record-breaking rainfall

The southwest monsoon arrived in Bengaluru with record-breaking rainfall which caused widespread disruptions in the city, as frequent spells of rain is expected to continue until June 5.

The metropolitan city, on June 2 received 111.1 mm of rainfall, which broke the 133-year-old record for the highest daily rainfall in June. The last highest recorded rainfall was 101.6 mm on June 16, 1891.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the city, and forecasted more rainfall in the coming days, which has put Bengaluru on course to break its highest monthly rainfall for June. The last recorded highest rainfall in June was in 1996 at 228.2 mm.

Thundershowers along with gusty winds caused waterlogging in several parts of the city, including significant traffic congestion and disrupting metro services. 

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), said it received 206 tree fall complaints and 41 complaints of branches falling. The rest 38 complaints were related to inundation and water stagnation.

The early arrival of the monsoon in Karnataka, as compared to last year offers hope for a better agricultural season. Last year, due to the delay in monsoon, 220 of the state's 236 taluks was affected by drought.