Bengaluru and other regions of Karnataka can expect more rainfall to come in the coming days, reported to be moderate to heavy rain in several districts.
The weather department has also issued a yellow alert to Bengaluru and nearby areas for today and tomorrow, with an indication of intense showers, thunderstorms, and lightning activity. The IMD says heavy rain is likely to arrive in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural and the surroundings in the days ahead. It is estimated that the state capital will receive 75-115 mm of rain, and this could create waterlogged roads, road congestion and disturbance in lowlands, officials said.
The city had already seen cloudy skies and sporadic showers the past few days, which eased the threat of rising temperatures. Rainfall activity was predicted to continue in much of Karnataka until May 21, according to the weather department.
South Interior Karnataka, coastal Karnataka and parts of North Interior Karnataka are expected to see widespread rainfall with thunder and lightning in some places. The coastal districts of Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are expected to see moderate rainfall in the coming days.
Authorities have told fishermen and coastal people to keep in mind the changing weather conditions and possible gusty winds during thunderstorms when they develop. In addition to Bengaluru and the coastal belt, rainfall warnings are given for several districts, namely Belagavi, Bagalkot, Raichur, Dharwad, Gadag, Koppal, Haveri, Vijayanagar, Ballari, Shivamogga, Davangere, Chitradurga, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Hassan, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Mandya, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagara and nearby places.
Rainfall is predicted to come in many districts, but the northern portions of Karnataka remain hot. IMD officials noted temperatures were likely to climb to 42 degrees Celsius in Athani in Belagavi district and in the areas of Aurad, Bhalki, and Kamalnagar near Bidar district.
Similarly, the temperature is likely to be around 40 degrees Celsius in Basavakalyan, Chitaguppa, Humnabad, Hulsur, Chincholi, Kalgi and Sedam areas. And in Raichur and Yadgir districts, there will be a combination of heat and sporadic rain. But regions like Manvi, Devadurga, Arakera, Vadagera and Gurumitkal might see unstable weather for a few days.
The current weather pattern is caused by moisture moving in from the Arabian Sea and the instability in the local atmospheric area, and is producing massive thunderstorms in many places in Karnataka, according to meteorologists. Residents and officials have warned residents to keep an eye out for heavy rains, which can hit particularly hard when there's flooding, tree failures, or lightning hitting nearby, experts say.
Civic departments in Bengaluru are also readying for potential rain-related woes, especially in flood-prone areas where waterlogged roads and traffic snarls have historically been bad for the commuting public in severe rain.
The IMD has warned people to stay informed of weather events and avoid excessive travelling in severe thunderstorms. Residents were warned of lightning and severe winds, particularly those that would create dangerous conditions in exposed areas.
