Mysuru and Kodagu Districts Grapple with Unseasonal Heatwave as Temperatures Soar
For the past two consecutive days, the historic city of Mysuru has been gripped by an intense heatwave, with maximum temperatures consistently crossing the 35°C mark. This unrelenting heat has effectively imposed an unofficial curfew-like situation between the peak afternoon hours of 12pm and 4pm, as residents prudently avoid stepping out into the scorching sun, leaving streets unusually deserted.
Kodagu's Pleasant Climate Disrupted by Rising Mercury
Meanwhile, the neighboring district of Kodagu, renowned for its idyllic, pleasant climate and status as a popular holiday retreat, is also confronting atypically high temperatures. According to precise data released by the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), Kodagu recorded a maximum temperature of 35.6°C on Saturday and 35.4°C on Friday. Earlier in the week, temperatures persistently hovered between 33°C and 34°C, signaling a significant departure from its usual cool demeanor.
Local residents across both districts report that the peak summer conditions are being felt much earlier than the typical seasonal pattern. "We are anxiously waiting for a couple of good rains to provide some relief," shared H Venkatesh, a resident of Bogadi in Mysuru, echoing the sentiment of many.
Alarming Reservoir Inflows and Expert Warnings
Compounding the heat stress, inflows into the region's major reservoirs remain critically low. As of the latest reports on Sunday, the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam recorded a mere inflow of 212 cusecs. Similarly, the Kabini dam located in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district received only 76 cusecs, while the Hemavathi dam in Hassan district registered a scant 52 cusecs.
G Srinivasa Reddy, the former director of KSNDMC, emphasized that the tangible impacts of global warming are being increasingly felt across Karnataka. "Since February, several parts of the state, especially the coastal areas, have witnessed above-normal temperatures," he stated. Reddy issued a stern warning that, barring a few taluks in south interior Karnataka, most regions could experience temperatures soaring 2°C to 4°C above normal this year.
Climate Patterns and Forecasted Weather Changes
Adding to the climatic concerns, Reddy highlighted that the La Niña phase is currently weakening, and El Niño conditions may emerge during the middle of the upcoming monsoon season. This shift could further influence and potentially exacerbate temperature patterns across the region.
In a slight reprieve, KSNDMC forecasts indicate that light rain or thundershowers are likely at one or two places in the districts of Hassan, Kodagu, Mysuru, and Davanagere. However, dry weather is expected to prevail in Chikkamagaluru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, and Shivamogga districts, offering little relief to those areas.
The early onset of such intense heat underscores the growing climatic challenges faced by these regions, prompting both residents and authorities to brace for a potentially grueling summer ahead.
