Bengaluru:

Just as the weather agencies predicted on Thursday, humidity built up to 47 per cent in Bengaluru before the clouds let loose, drenching parts of the IT hub. Bengalureans took to ‘X’ to compare notes on ‘rain status’ in their locality.

Weather enthusiast Vijay, who tracks the day-to-day swings of Karnataka weather on his page, ‘Namma Karnataka Weather’ started a thread on rain, listing areas where it rained heavily, moderately, lightly as well as areas where rains drizzled for a mere few minutes.

Ended up in Bengaluru to catch the first rain with Pakodas and Tea. https://t.co/wuGOIWynvQpic.twitter.com/ikphXSa78w

— Aishwary.eth (/acc) (@0xAishwary) May 2, 2024

Rains finally arrived at Namma Bengaluru this is first Rain of the season giving some kind of relief from the heat wave. Bengaluru record as much as 39 degree which is second highest temperature in last 5 Decades. pic.twitter.com/mlKdSDi9LT

— Anil Bharadwaj (@anilbharadwaj99) May 2, 2024

Kids enjoying the rains near Kanakapura road in Bengaluru. What a sight #BengaluruRainspic.twitter.com/O160XkEctT

— Karnataka Weather (@Bnglrweatherman) May 2, 2024

Residents of Whitefield and Jayanagar were happy to report heavy and thundering rain. But most were complaining that the drizzle only made things worse, with Bengaluru getting more hot.

‘X’ user Aravind Balaji (@aravindn15) complained of “too many winds” near Banashankari and surroundings. From Malleswaram too, ‘X’ user Anil Raje Urs (@AnilRajeUrs3) said even as it started to rain in his area, strong winds chased the clouds away.

Another ‘X’ user, Jeevan Bk (@Bkjeevan) was disappointed that there was no rain in north west Bengaluru. So, were Thirumenhalli and Yelahanka residents and social media users who complained that the much-awaited rain gave them a few droplets preview after a thundering entry and disappeared off the horizon.

Drizzling In parts of chikkbanavara Bengaluru….
Just like for 2min https://t.co/R39vs4U3Mepic.twitter.com/3WSQ1Qi88V

— Jeevan Bk (@BkJeevan) May 1, 2024

Meanwhile, according to Meteorology Centre Bengaluru, India Meteorology Department (IMD), maximum temperature in Bengaluru ranged between 39.1 and 38.2 degree celsius. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

If dry weather continues till April, then the yield is expected to be around 12 lakh metric tonnes this year
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

There seems to be some good news for mango lovers this season. After two ‘off’ years, this year there might be a good amount of yield, barring any weather variations.

Owing to erratic rains and blight disease, the quality and quantity of the fruit had reduced in the State over the last two years. Last year, it was only around 7-8 lakh metric tonnes, as against an average of 10 – 14 lakh metric tonnes every year.

If dry weather continues till April, then the yield might be around 12 lakh metric tonnes this year, according to senior officials of Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited (KSMDMCL). 

Critical factors

There are two factors which play a key role in flower initiation and fruit setting of mangoes, experts say — soil moisture and night temperature. “If there are cold conditions, then there would be good flower initiation. This year, so far, night temperature has been dropping and there has been no rain after December. If the same weather pattern continues, then this will hopefully be an ‘on’ year for mangoes,” said a senior official.

Usually, the fruits from Ramanagaram district, hit the markets first, but this year, the rain in the first week of December hampered flower initiation and hence, mangoes from there would only be available by May. By the end of April, mangoes from other parts of the State like Kolar, Chickballapur districts will be ready to eat. Senthoora, Raspuri and Badami (Alphonso) varieties will be the first ones available. 

Good production

In Karnataka, mangoes are cultivated on around 1.60 lakh hectares of land and Kolar district accounts for around 50% of the total production in the State. With ease of transportation, varieties from other States, like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, are also expected to come to the markets this year. While the prices were fluctuating between ₹100 and ₹200 last year, this year, good production could also mean that mangoes will be easier on the consumers’ pockets.

Mango Board is also optimistic about conducting the famed Mango Mela in Lalbagh on a grand scale this year, if there is no rise in COVID-19 cases. By the first week of May, mangoes will also be available of Karsiri, the online portal of KSMDMCL where customers can place orders directly from farmers and get them delivered to their doorstep via India Post.