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.