BOOM in Bengaluru! Officials explain Reasons behind the Deafening Sound!

A loud booming sound was heard in different parts of Bengaluru on Wednesday afternoon. The noise was heard in few areas which includes Old Madras Road, Ulsoor, Kundanahalli, HAL, Kammanahalli, Cooke Town, Vivek Nagar, Ramamurthy Nagar, Koramangala, Hosur Road, CV Raman Nagar, Whitefield and HSR Layout of Karnataka’s capital city.

#Bangalore #SONIC #Heard a loud SONIC'boom' in Bengaluru? Officials are investigating what it was? A loud noise was heard in Bengaluru on Wednesday afternoon around 1.30 pm near the city’s Whitefield area. pic.twitter.com/8aN9OKbKcI

— Aman Royal (@AmanRoyal_) May 20, 2020

Officials confirmed that it was not an earthquake that startled residents of the city. Netizens have been contemplating the reason behind the mysterious sound that jolted the city. The internet is being flooded with memes and tweets about Bangalore since then. 

NDTV, in its report, cited an official statement released by the Indian Airforce, Headquarters Training command, Bengaluru  that explains the reason behind the boom. 

According to the statement No aircraft of Training Command was flying in the area. Several media reports also confirmed the same and ruled out the possibility of it being a sonic boom.

The statement read “However, ASTE (Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment) and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) could have been undertaking their routine test flying, which necessitates going supersonic at times.”

It also underlined how these tests are undertaken only beyond the city limits in specified sectors and hence complies by the regulations. 

The statement cites that the reduced noise levels in the city and atmospheric conditions could have enhanced the sound, thus making it audible for residents even though the tests were undertaken outside the city limits.

The Ministry of Defence, Bengaluru finally solved the mystery behind the loud boom and confirmed in a tweet that the oud sound was caused by a “routine Indian Air Force test Flight” with a supersonic profile, taking off.

#Update

It was a routine IAF Test Flight involving a supersonic profile which took off from Bluru Airport and flew in the allotted airspace well outside City limits. The aircraft was of Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment (ASTE) @IAF_MCC @SpokespersonMoD

— PRO Bengaluru, Ministry of Defence (@Prodef_blr) May 20, 2020

JUST IN: Statement from IAF confirms it was an IAF fighter jet going supersonic that caused the boom over Bengaluru today. pic.twitter.com/rUYPqHBbya

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) May 20, 2020