Bengaluru, long celebrated as India’s Garden City, is wilting under a fierce summer. The mercury is climbing from morning itself, and experts warn that El Niño could push temperatures past 38°C — with
May threatening to be even more punishing than April. Here is what you need to know.
Why Is Bengaluru Getting Hotter Every Year?
Rapid concretisation in the name of development has steadily driven up the city’s temperature. Rampant tree-felling and deforestation have stripped natural cover, while the expansion of the city’s boundaries — following the replacement of BBMP with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) — has only widened the urban heat island effect.
What Is El Niño And Why Should Bengalureans Care?
El Niño is a climate anomaly triggered by excessive warming of Pacific Ocean waters, which in turn heats the atmosphere. Climate change expert Rajegowda explains that global temperatures are rising incrementally — by 0.1 to 0.2 degrees annually — until they peak. That tipping point is now being reached in the Pacific, with cascading consequences for cities like Bengaluru.
How Bad Could It Get?
Bengaluru’s average annual rainfall is 950 mm, but El Niño could slash that by at least 10%. The Cauvery catchment area — the city’s primary water source — will also see reduced rainfall, threatening drinking water supplies and driving groundwater levels even lower. Temperatures could breach 38°C. Paradoxically, El Niño can also trigger sudden, heavy downpours, raising flood risks.
How Do You Protect Yourself?
Doctors advise drinking at least 3 litres of water daily to avoid dehydration and heatstroke. Opt for lemon sherbet and salted buttermilk; avoid junk food, soda, and spicy meals. Fashion designer Lakshmi Krishna recommends skipping dark colours — especially black — and choosing light shades like peach and yellow, with layered clothing for better sun protection.
