With Karnataka going to elections in just two days, a weather forecast which many voters will find troubling marks May 12 as a rainy day.
The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) has predicted light to moderate showers across Karnataka, with some regions getting heavy rainfall in the second half of the day the state casts its vote.
Speaking to TNM, meteorologist Sunil Gavaskar from KSNDMC said that isolated places in Malnad region, including Kodagu, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga could expect heavy showers, up to 64 mm.
Similarly, coastal areas and parts of northern and southern Karnataka are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall. These regions include districts like Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, Kolar, Mandya, Mysuru, Belagavi and Gadag among others.
Bengaluru too is set to receive light to heavy showers on polling day.
“These are pre-monsoon showers which are normal at this time of the year. Thunderstorms and rain are likely to begin around 2-3pm in the day. In most regions, which will see light to moderate rainfall, we are not expecting showers above 30mm,” Sunil said.
The thunderstorm, along with gusty winds and rainfall are expected to last till 8-9pm in the night.
However, Sunil says, this should not be cause for worry except in some interior regions of the state which may experience heavy rain.
He also suggests that voters should be able to avoid getting stuck in the rain if they finish casting their vote in the first half, by 2pm or so. “It will be best if maximum polling is done by that time,” Sunil said.
The battle for Karnataka between the BJP, Congress and JD(S) will culminate on May 15, when the votes will be counted.