Winters in Bengaluru haven’t arrived this year. While the scenario of warm winter prevails across India all throughout November and December of 2012, Bangalore had been particularly bad. The colder nights of Bangalore have almost vanished and the residents are looking up to their ceiling fans even in supposedly winter months.
The change of winter temperature in Bengaluru is alarming many residents across the city. Amit, a software professional working with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) says, “I remember the last winter in Bengaluru was particularly colder which was also very unlikely of the city characteristic. But this year it’s completely opposite. It doesn’t feel like winter at all.” The stark change becomes even more evident as the mercury reading of Bangalore temperature in December hover between 30 – 34°C centigrade in 2012.
However, experts still seem to hold some hope. In a statement given to the Deccan Chronicle, B. Puttanna, director-in-charge, Indian Meteorological Department, Bengaluru, says “Temperature variation is not very uncommon in December in Bengaluru. We need some more years’ data to conclude that the cold nights are coming down in numbers”. While Mr. Puttanna does not draw a scary picture of the city’s weather condition, Mahesh Palawat, Head of the forecasting team of Skymet Weather Services makes no qualms in pointing out to human role in rising temperatures. “We must not forget that rapid urbanization around Bangalore is taking toll on its greenery. Overall global temperatures have risen by 0.6 – 0.8°C centigrade due to global warming and Bangalore cannot be different. However, this year our forecasts say that January 2013 temperature of Bangalore will near normal. Our long range models are indicating that January will be comparatively cooler and temperatures of the month will be near normal. On an average maximum will be 27°C and minimum will be around 15°C during January 2013.”
Photograph by Luna Park