The India Meteorological Department (IMD), for its part, had issued a new warning forecasting heavy rains in the coastal districts of Karnataka from tomorrow.
Rain and wind, thunderstorms and a gusty gale will hit several parts of the state over the next couple of days, the official statement said, in addition to warnings to those in vulnerable areas. Extreme rain, strong winds and lightning will be expected in all parts of Karnataka, including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada coastal areas.
The weather department said winds propelled by moisture from the Arabian Sea are strengthening, and heavy rains could strike the coast. Regional flooding, waterlogged regions and traffic jams, officials said, might be caused by heavy early and late at night rain in some areas.
Fishermen have also been warned to watch out for sea weather along seas, which could turn rough and fierce winds toward coasts. The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) have also told district governments to be prepared for emergency situations on the ground, such as affected areas with low altitude, at risk of flooding and landslides.
Wind speeds are expected to increase to 30 to 40 kmph, and thunderstorms are forecasted in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Weather authorities said rain would come in sporadic rainfall for several days, with monsoon gradually accumulating over an area of the state. Except for the coastal belt, South Interior Karnataka can also expect moderate to heavy rain.
Districts like Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Mysuru could potentially see thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds. Bengaluru is also expected to suffer cloudy weather, which will include sporadic rain and thunderstorms for several days.
Officials put residents in danger of traffic jams and of temporary disruptions due to sudden showers that would happen at peak hours. Rainfall intensity may also increase in some areas, based on what the IMD said, from 15 May to 16 May. In high-risk areas, an alert yellow warning has been issued in some areas that are isolated, where rain has been reported to have been observed from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm.
During heavy rains, authorities have also told many city residents to avoid travelling unless it’s necessary, to avoid weak buildings, electrical poles, and waterlogged areas when it involves thunderstorms, especially people living near rivers, hills, and landslide-prone areas.
Crisis response teams and localities said they are keeping an eye on the weather and are already devising a plan to respond to flooding in adverse weather extremes, including severe rain. The weather has changed for the past three weeks, which you probably feel relieved from the long summer heat.
But officials warned that severe thunderstorms and consistent rain could cause temporary trouble in some areas. The citizens should be notified by IMD and KSNDMC with official media and the utilisation of public safety measures when the environmental factors are not favourable.
