B'luru set for wettest yr; experts say it's Urban Heat Island effect

Due to unprecedented rain in the past few months, Bengaluru is inching close to setting an all-time record for the wettest year in 75 years. The previous wettest year was 2017 when the city received 169.6cm of rainfall, according to data with India Meteorological Department (IMD).

- Niranjan Kaggere

Scientists at IMD Bengaluru told TOI that rainfall in the city is measured at three locations Bengaluru City, HAL Airport, and Kempegowda International Airport. "Bengaluru has so far recorded 169cm of rainfall (January 2022 to October 17, 2022). The city still requires 0.7cm to break the previous record for the wettest year set in 2017. But with two and a half months remaining, 2022 will be the wettest year for Bengaluru since the recording of climate data began," said Geeta Agnihotri, scientist and head of IMD Bengaluru. The department has data for Bengaluru rain from 1947.