Bengaluru rains break records, city sees wettest May in history; IMD issues red alert

Bengaluru rains

Bengaluru has officially witnessed its wettest May in recorded history. As of 6 am, on May 26, the city received 307.9 mm of rainfall, breaking all previous records, according to a report by Deccan Herald. The earlier record for May was 305.4 mm in 2023. Before that, the highest May rainfall was 280 mm, recorded way back in 1957. With four days still left in the month, rainfall figures could rise further.

Bengaluru weather: From ruthless 2024 water crisis to overflowing lakes in 2025

How sudden downpour crippled Bengaluru: 3 dead, rafts row through streets, WFH calls rise amid yellow alert

The sharp rise in rainfall points to a worrying trend. Four of Bengaluru’s five wettest Mays have occurred in the last 10 years, 2025 (307.9 mm), 2023 (305.4 mm), 2022 (270.4 mm), and 2017 (241.9 mm), India Today reported. This is more than double the average May rainfall of 128.7 mm, based on IMD data from 1991 to 2020.

Pre-monsoon season

The entire state of Karnataka has experienced unusually high rainfall during the pre-monsoon season (March 1–May 26). Bengaluru Urban district recorded 340.6 mm of rain, 155 mm more than the usual seasonal average, the report said.

South Interior Karnataka, which includes Bengaluru, saw 249.1 mm compared to a normal of 124.1 mm. North Interior Karnataka received 201.8 mm, nearly triple its typical 67.5 mm.

Early arrival of monsoon

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday officially announced the arrival of the southwest monsoon in parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru. The department has issued a red alert, predicting very heavy rainfall and gusty winds on Tuesday, according to the India Today report.

The forecast for Bengaluru till May 29 includes cloudy skies, thundershowers, and wind speeds of 30–40 kmph. Day temperatures will likely stay between 25–27 degrees Celsius, with night temperatures around 19–20 degrees Celsius.

Flood risk rises

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has identified 210 flood-prone areas. So far, 166 of these have been mitigated, India Today reported, citing sources. Officials have been told to step up drain cleaning, monitor lake levels, and respond quickly to reports of fallen trees and infrastructure damage.

Coastal Karnataka faces disruption

Heavy rains also hit other parts of Karnataka, especially coastal and interior areas. In Dakshina Kannada district, Mangaluru saw blocked roads and flooded low-lying areas due to fallen trees and heavy showers. Ullal taluk reported damaged homes and flooded riverbank villages. Seven houses were damaged, six in Mangaluru and one in Bantwal.

Tourists at Erugundi waterfall in Dakshina Kannada had to be rescued after water levels suddenly rose. A 25-member NDRF team arrived in Puttur to help with emergencies. Fishing activities were suspended, and boats were recalled.