IMD Issues Red Alert As Heavy Rains Lash Karnataka; 2 Killed In Belagavi

Karnataka faces heavy rainfall and disruptions with IMD issuing a red alert for several districts, including Uttara Kannada, due to intense downpours.

The southwest monsoon remains vigorous over North Interior Karnataka and is active across both Coastal and South Interior regions.

Source : Pixabay

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across large parts of Karnataka over the next five days on Friday. A red alert has been issued for several districts, warning of intense downpours and potential disruptions. On Thursday night, torrential rain in Karnataka’s Belagavi district resulted in two deaths. 

Heavy Rains Batter Karnataka

Karwar faced widespread disruption as relentless rains that began on the night of June 11 continued through Thursday, flooding both urban and rural areas. Stormwater drains overflowed, turning roads into rivers and submerging several parts of the city.

Key locations including MG Road, Geetanjali Cinema, the High Church area, Kodibag, and Sai Katte stretch were severely affected, with water entering shops, temples, and homes, causing significant damage, as per a report on PTI.

In the early hours of Thursday, a landslide near Sai Mandir on Dobighat Road sent large boulders crashing down the hillside, raising fears of further slope failures. The incident comes soon after a Geological Survey of India (GSI) report flagged Karwar as one of 21 landslide-prone zones in the region, underlining the area’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Due to the worsening conditions, local administrations in Udupi and Kodagu districts have declared a holiday for anganwadis and schools up to Class 10 on June 13. Belagavi and Bagalkot districts in north Karnataka have also been significantly impacted.

The IMD has placed the following districts under a red warning for Friday: Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, and Shivamogga, as per a report on The News Minute. 

Karnataka Weather Update

The southwest monsoon remains vigorous over North Interior Karnataka and is active across both Coastal and South Interior regions.

Forecasts suggest sustained wind speeds of 50–60 kmph and heavy to very heavy rain, especially in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu, with isolated spells of extremely heavy rainfall. Davangere and Hassan are also expected to witness significant rain accompanied by strong winds. Heavy showers are likely in Ballari, Chitradurga, Mysuru, and Vijayanagar, while areas such as Bengaluru (Urban and Rural), Chikkaballapura, Mandya, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, Chamarajanagar, and Kolar are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall with winds of 40–50 kmph.

Bengaluru Rains

In Bengaluru, residents can expect a generally cloudy sky, light to moderate rain, and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph. The city's temperatures are forecast to remain around 29°C (max) and 21°C (min).

Authorities have urged residents in high-risk areas to stay indoors, avoid waterlogged routes, and closely follow updates from district administrations and the IMD. Emergency response teams have been deployed to vulnerable zones across the state.