An idyllic road in Balamuri village in Madikeri Taluk in Kodagu District
Credit: DH Photo
Madikeri: In a rare occurrence, mercury level has crossed 30 degree celsius in Kodagu in the second week of August itself, for the first time.
The district recorded a maximum temperature of 31 degree celsius on Wednesday.
The temperature has been soaring since August 9. Usually, the temperature in August in Kodagu would be between 25 to 28 degree celsius. During the previous years, there were two instances when the mercury levels reached 30 degree celsius.
One was during August 2013 and another incident was during August 2020. However, these two incidents happened in the last week of August. But this year, the rise in temperature was noticed from the beginning of August.
Sudden spike
Kodagu is known to be at its coldest temperature during the monsoon season, and has been witnessing significant changes in terms of change in the temperature.
The climate during August would be cold, with mist. People would prefer being covered in warm clothes. However, for the past few days, they have been staying under fans.
A significant rise in the temperature was recorded from the first week of August, despite rains throughout July. Hot weather during the second week of August is first of its kind, the people say. In fact, there was no such hot weather during the entire month of August in the previous years.
Napoklu hobli, which falls in the Western Ghat range, is also experiencing hot weather. Heat has become unbearable in Gonikoppa and Kushalnagar.
Heavy rains
Particular regions in the district are receiving heavy rainfall, creating worry among people. On last Tuesday, Sampaje hobli alone received 15 cm rainfall. Similar incident happened in 2018, the people recollect.
There was always rain during the month of August. Even if there was no rain, the weather was cold. However, this year, it is hot like summer, said M S Subrahmanya, a senior citizen from Napoklu.
A maximum temperature of 31.1 degree celsius was recorded in Madikeri city on Wednesday, as per the data by India Meteorological Department (IMD).
According to AccuWeather, a private weather monitoring firm, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 32 degree celsius on the same day.
IMD Bengaluru centre Director C S Patil opined that the dry weather in Kodagu is due to dry weather in Arabian Sea, which has resulted in the rising of the temperature.