The Met department has ruled out the possibility of a heatwave in Bengaluru at a time when the northern and eastern parts of the country are reeling under a hot spell.
Bengaluru witnessed the hottest day of the year on April 18 when the mercury hit 36.5°C. Soon, hashtags like #heatwave and #hydratewell started circulating on social media.
A Prasad, scientist at IMD Bengaluru, said a heatwave is declared when the temperature increases by 4.5°C from normal at a minimum of two stations in a subdivision. Likewise, a severe heatwave warning is issued when it climbs by 6.4°C. Bengaluru comes under the south interior Karnataka sub-division. “For Bengaluru, the normal is 34°C this month,” he informed.
The city may see light rains, on two days, by April 24, he shared.