Monsoon to advance in Karnataka as coast, Kodagu pounded by rains

New Delhi/Bengaluru: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday said the southwest monsoon is likely to advance into more parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru, in the next three days while rains continued to pound coastal and Malnad regions.

The southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on May 24 — eight days ahead of its normal date of June 1 — making it the monsoon’s quickest arrival since 2009. 

IMD says heavy to very heavy rainfall likely to continue over west coast (Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra and Goa) during the next seven days, with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall over Kerala during May 25-26; coastal and ghat areas of Karnataka between May 25-27 and ghat areas of Tamil Nadu till Monday (May 26).

With heavy rainfall expected in the next few days, the weather bureau has advised the fishermen not to venture into the central and south Arabian Sea near the coast of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Lakshadweep till May 30.

In Karnataka, water level in rivers and rivulets has gone up considerably due to torrential rain, with Kottigehara in Chikkamagaluru district recording 210 mm in the last 24 hours.

A number of tree falls and and minor landslides have hit traffic at several places. 

The IMD has forecast heavy showers for Monday and sounded a red alert for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts.

Shivamogga district received copious rain throughout the day on Sunday. Nadumane, Hosanagara, Thirthahalli and Sagar taluks received heavy rains, and more rain is on the way for the district.

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds pummelled Kodagu district on Sunday, downing as many as 197 electric poles in the last two days. As a result, electricity supply has been disrupted in many parts, including Madikeri city. Triveni Sangama in Bhagamandala is full to the brim for the first time in a decade in the month of May.

Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts witnessed widespread damage due to heavy rains  and strong winds.

As a precautionary measure, entry to Murudeshwar beach in Bhatkal taluk has been barred. People have also been warned not to go to the beaches of Karwar and Gokarna.