Karnataka is expected to experience active to vigorous rainfall till July 16, according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).
In response, Uttara Kannada district authorities have declared a holiday for all schools and PU colleges in 10 taluks on Monday, citing a ‘red alert’ issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
IMD has reported that Castle Rock in Uttara Kannada district received the highest rainfall on Sunday, with a whopping 220 mm of precipitation, as the state is bracing for more rain till July 16, according to KSNDMC.
‘Red alert’ issued for Uttara Kannada district
The weather department has issued a heavy rain and red alert for Uttara Kannada district, effective from 1 pm on July 14 to 8:30 pm on July 16. The vigorous monsoon conditions over Karnataka are attributed to an off-shore trough along the Maharashtra-north Kerala coast and a cyclonic circulation over the west-central Bay of Bengal off coastal Andhra Pradesh, channeling more moisture into Karnataka, according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).
Rain is expected across coastal Karnataka, Malnad districts, and parts of interior Karnataka until July 16. Weather experts predict massive inflows into dams on the Kaveri and Krishna basins in the coming week. The Central Water Commission has issued an inflow forecast for six dams and barrages in Karnataka, where inflows are projected to meet or exceed specified thresholds.
Kabini reservoir on red alert
The Kabini reservoir is on red alert with storage levels surpassing 85 percent. Authorities may regulate water levels in all six dams and barrages as necessary to prevent downstream flooding and upstream submergence.
On Tuesday, July 16, isolated heavy to very heavy rain and sustained winds of 40-50 km/h are expected over Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts. From June 1 to July 13, coastal Karnataka recorded 1,313 mm of rainfall, slightly above the normal 1,302 mm.
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In the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, Dakshina Kannada received 34.5 mm of rain, against the normal 43.6 mm, while Udupi recorded 68.9 mm. During which, 37 electric poles and 1.85 km of power lines managed by MESCOM were damaged in Dakshina Kannada. Two houses in Dakshina Kannada and 10 in Udupi district were reported damaged. Mangaluru city experienced heavy rains and gusty winds on Sunday evening.