Bengaluru receives first pre-monsoon showers
Sudden rainfall occurred in some parts of Bengaluru in the evening hours of March 17 | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.
While the first pre-monsoon showers were seen in Bengaluru on Tuesday, many parts of the city received light rainfall, while some areas experienced short-term hail.
The light shower, which started around 15.30, provided relief from the rising temperatures for a while.
According to observation data of India Meteorological Department (IMD), three weather stations (Bengaluru City, HAL Airport and Kempegowda International Airport (KIA)) received trace amounts of rainfall till 5.30 pm.
While Bengaluru City recorded a maximum temperature of 32.3°C and a minimum of 21.4°C, HAL Airport recorded a maximum and minimum of 32°C and 20.6°C. KIA recorded 33.7°C and 20.4°C respectively.
IMD officials said Bengaluru will continue to receive light rainfall in the next 2-3 days.
“Bengaluru received its first pre-monsoon showers on Tuesday, March 17. However, other parts of the state have been receiving pre-monsoon showers for the last few days. Bengaluru will continue to receive light rainfall for the next two to three days. Rains will not be widespread; only some areas will receive rainfall,” said IMD Scientist CS Patil.
Hail rain for a while
N. Puviarasan, head of the Bengaluru Meteorological Center, said that there was a hailstorm in the city for a short time.
The IMD forecast for the city and region for the next 36 hours is as follows: “The sky will be partly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms in the evening and night hours. The maximum and minimum temperature are expected to be around 33°C and 21°C respectively.”
Mr Patil said there would be strong winds, thundershowers and lightning along with several hail events across the state.
Other parts
According to IMD’s March 18 forecast, light to moderate rain/thunderstorms will be seen at one or two places in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts in coastal Karnataka. For northern interior parts of Karnataka, light to moderate rain/thunderstorms with gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are expected at one or two places in Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri districts. “Dry weather is likely to prevail in the remaining areas,” the forecast says.
In interior Karnataka, there will be light to moderate rain/thundershowers (40-50 kmph) at a few places in Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan, Kodagu, Davanagere, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Bengaluru (Rural), Bengaluru (Urban), Tumakuru, South Bengaluru and Mandya districts.
It was published – 17 March 2026 08:27 IST
