Coastal Karnataka on Red Alert as IMD Predicts Extremely Heavy Rainfall
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for coastal Karnataka for Tuesday and Wednesday, warning of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.5 mm. The alert remains in effect until 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, after which it will be downgraded to an orange alert valid until 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, with forecasts of very heavy rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm.
Meanwhile, a girl student sustained minor injuries when a tile from the roof of a primary school, dislodged by strong winds, fell on her leg in Varamballi village, Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district on Monday morning. Revenue officials confirmed the injury was minor.
In Udupi district, 14 houses were damaged due to rain and wind in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m. on Monday. Of these, 12 houses were in Kundapur taluk, and one each in Byndoor and Hebri taluks. The district recorded 45.3 mm of rainfall during this period, with the maximum of 71.7 mm in Kundapur taluk and the minimum of 19.9 mm in Kaup taluk, according to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner.
In Dakshina Kannada district, the District Disaster Management Authority reported that 248 electricity poles and 12.4 km of power supply lines belonging to Mescom were damaged. The district recorded 35.8 mm of rainfall, close to the normal of 35.6 mm for the period. The maximum rainfall was 52.8 mm in Belthangady taluk, and the minimum was 11.9 mm in Mulki taluk.
According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, coastal Karnataka received 639.1 mm of rainfall from June 1 to July 5 (until 8:30 a.m.), against the normal of 1,022.8 mm, resulting in a 38% deficit. Residents and authorities are advised to remain cautious as heavy rains are expected to continue.
