Bengaluru: Heavy rains lashed several parts of Karnataka on Thursday morning, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue orange and yellow alerts across multiple districts. Authorities took precautionary measures, including declaring holidays for schools and colleges in affected regions.

Flooding in Bidar

In Bidar district, overnight rainfall in Aurad taluk caused overflowing streams and inundation of bridges. The Dadagi bridge in Badalgaon–Chondimukhed of Bhalki taluk was closed to traffic. A stream at Narayanpur village in Aurad taluk was also reported in spate, prompting Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma to order a holiday for educational institutions as a safety measure.

Precautions in Dakshina Kannada

The Dakshina Kannada district received an orange alert, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain. The administration declared a holiday for anganwadi centres, primary and high schools, government-aided and private institutions, and pre-university colleges in Mangaluru, Puttur, Mulki, Moodbidri, Ullal, and Bantwal taluks. Parents were advised to keep children away from low-lying areas, lakes, riversides, and seashores, while fishermen were warned not to venture into the sea.

Taluk-level officials were instructed to remain at their headquarters to respond promptly to complaints. Tahsildars were directed to maintain close coordination with the administration.

IMD weather advisory

Senior Scientist C S Patil of IMD Bengaluru explained that light to moderate rain or thundershowers with lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph are expected in isolated places. He attributed the rainfall to a low-pressure system formed near West Bengal and Odisha, which has now moved towards Chhattisgarh, resulting in heavy rains in North Karnataka. Bengaluru may see a drop in temperature, though rainfall is expected to reduce.

The IMD also warned of temporary power disruptions, minor traffic snarls, and uprooting of weak trees in vulnerable areas. Residents were advised to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, unplug electrical appliances, and seek shelter away from trees and water bodies.

Rainfall data

Between 8.30 am on Wednesday and 5.30 am on August 28, rainfall recorded included:

  • Mangaluru AP: 106.6 mm
  • Gadag: 70.1 mm
  • Bengaluru HAL AP: 28.2 mm
  • Chitradurga: 14.8 mm
  • Kalaburagi: 10.4 mm
  • Bengaluru city: 4.9 mm
  • Agumbe: 108.5 mm
  • Tidagundi (Vijayapura): 46.5 mm
  • Mangaluru: 33 mm

Data recorded from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on Wednesday showed:

  • Honnavar: 87.7 mm
  • Karwar: 55.4 mm
  • Bidar: 26.2 mm
  • Shaktinagar: 11.3 mm

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) confirmed extremely heavy rainfall in coastal Karnataka.

Ongoing advisory

Officials warned that intermittent rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds will persist in isolated pockets across the state over the next few hours. Widespread rainfall with isolated very heavy spells is expected across coastal and interior Karnataka till September 3. Residents were urged to remain cautious and adhere to safety guidelines issued by disaster management authorities.