Cyclone Gaja effect: Wind speed increases fourfold in Bengaluru


Bengaluru, Nov 17 (TOI): Gaja, the cyclonic storm that has swept parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, has had its impact on Bengaluru too. Wind speeds in the city increased by four times the daily average for 24 hours between Thursday morning and Friday. This has caused concern among commuters, especially those who drive on elevated roads in the city.

Bengaluru, on average, experiences a wind speed of about 4-6kmph. But between 9.25am on Thursday and the same time on Friday, the weatherman said the speed averaged at 16kmph. In fact, the highest speed recorded during the said time was 32kmph, which is about eight times the daily average.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) centre in Bengaluru, the wind speed varied between 16kmph and 20kmph.

IMD Bengaluru director CS Patil explained, “Wind speed in the city increased because of Gaja, which caused the pressure to fall in the areas it passed through and surroundings.”

While people commuting at the surface level did not notice the change given that buildings and other structures offset the speed, those who used elevated roads and flyovers — like on Mysuru Road — faced the strong wind. Motorists heading from Sirsi Circle said the wind was travelling in the opposite direction, which reduced the pace of the vehicles. They even complained of their vehicles drifting from one side of the road to another.

Urging people not to panic, Patil said only wind speed above 50kmph could cause any serious concern. “Only when the speed crosses 62kmph do we call it a cyclonic storm,” he said.

BBMP and police officials said no untoward incidents were reported due to the cyclone’s effect in the city, barring one case of a tree falling in RT Nagar, north Bengaluru, early Friday.

  

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Comment on this article

  • juliana, udupi

    Sat, Nov 17 2018

    Cyclones are frequent due to climate change creating depression in seas and forming high speed winds causing damage to property and human life. Thankfully less damage in Karnataka State this time. Let us pray for recovery of Tamil Nadu hit by Cyclone Gaja. Why people name it Gaja which means elephant instead of calling it umi which mean ant in Tulu language that cannot do much damage instantly due to its small size.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai

    Sat, Nov 17 2018

    Jossie on the contrary, we should be empathizing with those who are affected!!

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Sat, Nov 17 2018

    Always TN climate changes will have heavy impact on Bengaluru

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sahil, Mangaluru

    Sat, Nov 17 2018

    Just we should always trust almighty.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Nov 17 2018

    We are grateful to the Almighty for keeping us safe ...

    DisAgree [7] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai

    Sat, Nov 17 2018

    Jossie, what wrong had the victims of the cyclone done??

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Elwyn Goveas, Valencia

    Sat, Nov 17 2018

    The real success would when all the displaced are rehabilated and damaged to the property is restored quickly.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Cyclone Gaja effect: Wind speed increases fourfold in Bengaluru



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