Cyclone Fengal brings heavy rainfall alert for South Interior Karnataka

Residents in Bengaluru and surrounding districts are advised to remain alert and take necessary precautions as the region braces for heavy rainfall.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Bengaluru and adjoining districts as Cyclone Fengal is set to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, December 4-5. The IMD has warned that some areas may receive over 100 mm of rainfall during this period.

The cyclone has already caused overcast skies and light showers in the city over the weekend, bringing temperatures below normal. Bengaluru recorded a maximum temperature of 22.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday and a minimum of 19.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning.

IMD forecasts indicate that minimum temperatures in central Bengaluru will hover around 17-18 degrees Celsius in the coming days, while parts of North Karnataka may experience temperatures as low as 10-12 degrees Celsius. As of Sunday morning, rainfall was observed in isolated areas of Bengaluru and the neighbouring districts of Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru Rural.

Rainfall Surplus Despite November Deficiency

Karnataka has recorded excess rainfall this Northeast monsoon season, with 209 mm of rain between October 1 and November 30, a 21% increase over the average of 173 mm. While the surplus is largely due to significant rainfall in October, November saw a 42% deficiency in showers.

Cyclone Fengal’s Movement and Impact
Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall earlier this week, has been moving sluggishly and remains close to the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast as of Sunday morning.

“Cyclone Fengal moved south-westwards at a speed of 7 km/h during the past six hours. It is expected to move westwards slowly and weaken into a deep depression over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next few hours,” the IMD stated.

Residents in Bengaluru and surrounding districts are advised to remain alert and take necessary precautions as the region braces for heavy rainfall.