Pausu Bhoro Ailo, Ani Malo Bhizailo !Early Morning March Showers brought Surprise to Many
Pausu Bhoro Ailo, Ani Malo Bhizailo! ( It Rained So Heavily, The Roof Got Wet ‘in Konkani) Early Morning March Showers brought Surprise to Many
Mangaluru: While many citizens were still in bed, the rain came down heavily for a while during the early morning hours of 5 am on 2 March 2020. Usually, the pre monsoon is expected sometime in the third week of May followed by South West monsoons in the first week of June. All we could say is that “Probably it rained due to Global Warming?. Around 5 am or so my dogs started barking, and I woke up to see what was going on- and to my surprise is was raining outside, with lightning in the skies. Iput my rain jacket on and took the dogs for a walk-and my four-legged furry ones enjoyed every bit of the rain drops falling on them. Cool breeze spread a blanket of pleasant weather around bringing down the summer heat considerably. The breeze was accompanied by steady drizzle, that continued for a while.
The drizzle gave some respite from the dryness the city had endured for over last few months. Although it didn’t rain heavily, but it was enough to wet some of the items or clothes left out to dry- and also put few people in inconveniences since they were not prepared for a surprise rain. Travelers who came down from Bengaluru had to get wet when they alighted the buses; labourers at the vegetable market also faced bit of hardship loading and unloading goods, since they didn’t expect rain, and had no rain gear on; early morning travelers who came by train or bus had to take shelter since no one had a umbrella or a rain gear; Such was the situation due to the unexpected early morning shower, but everyone did bear with the consequences they had to face.
The proverb “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers”, or the shorter, trochaic version “April showers bring May flowers” are common expressions in English speaking countries. Even though it’s not April yet, we got showers on the second day of March month? Whatever the versions are, monsoon seemed like it came few weeks earlier than the expected time which starts in June. Although it didn’t pour down heavily, but the rain was quite enough to dampen the soil, created some cool temperature, was a relief for plants and trees, etc etc. Usually, the pre monsoon is expected sometime in the third week of May followed by South West monsoons in the first week of June.”Probably it rained due to Global Warming? say a few people.
Cool breeze spread a blanket of pleasant weather around bringing down the summer heat considerably. The breeze was accompanied by steady drizzle, few thunders that continued for a short time. The drizzle gave some respite from the dryness the city had endured for over last few months. Although it didn’t rain heavily, but it was enough to wet some of the items or clothes left out to dry. After days of searing heat, early Monday morning saw the city under a cover of clouds. The sudden drizzle took everyone by surprise, especially the people who go to work early morning and also the morning vendors who deliver newspapers, milk etc- The street vendors had to hide their stuff from getting wet.
For that matter, Rain in March is unusual. It was a blink-and-miss drizzle in most part of the city, but certain pockets recorded significant rainfall. But the drizzle was quite enough to wet few commuters and two-wheeler riders. While few ladies who always carry folding umbrellas in their bags, came handy for them this morning, especially the nurses heading to Lady Goschen hospital. While Kudla’s climate may indeed be changing, including under the influence of anthropogenic, global climate change, it is important to understand the nuances of City’s weather, climate and variability first. One question many citizens may ask- “How come it rains here in March?” The adage ‘When it rains, it pours!’ seems to be particularly apt for the month of March? What kind of rain is this, which comes but rarely, but pours a lot when it does? – I bet many will ask.
Sources reveal that in all, Coastal City Mangaluru occasionally gets off-season rains from oceanic depressions in the months of February and March. While infrequent, they can contribute to significant rains in the city when they do appear. It is easy to claim that Mangaluru’s summers are starting early and thus the summer rains are starting early as well, but the evidence for such a case remains weak. Now, will such oceanic depressions over the Indian Ocean become more frequent or more intense due the climate change? The most honest answer one can give today is ‘Maybe’.
And due to this early Monsoon rain this morning, a white foam or scum was observed on some of the roads of the city. This is because the rain water mixes with a few months’ worth of oils, tar and rubber that have accumulated on the roads. It is possible that they make the roads more slippery than usual. But we should be all happy that at least, this rain did cooled down the temperature a bit- and if it continues for the next few hours- I bet everyone will have a cool and pleasant day ahead.