Bhatkal: Heavy rains predicted for coastal districts today and tomorrow

Bhatkal, 02 July 2020 [Fik/News Sources]:  Monsoon in Karnataka is well underway as we enter the month of July, and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has released a bulletin noting that certain parts of the state will experience rainfall over the next five days. The IMD noted that there is a trough in the east Arabian sea, along the Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala coasts, which will result in coastal districts in Karnataka to receive light to moderate rainfall till July 5.

The coastal districts of Karnataka have been put on an orange alert by the IMD with regard to the Monsoon Rainfall. The three coastal districts - Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada - are likely to get heavy rainfall along with thunder and lightning on July 2 and 3. The evidence is already in place as it has been raining heavily since the early hours of July 2 in Bhatkal.

Following a yellow alert on Monday in three districts in the state, CS Patil, Director of IMD, Bengaluru, said in a video bulletin that there is an orange alert for heavy rains in Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka till July 5. Orange alert means that officials are expected to be prepared for heavy to very heavy rainfall, for possible flooding.

Rainfall occurred at most places in coastal Karnataka, a few places in north interior Karnataka and at isolated places over south interior Karnataka on Tuesday. One IMD station in Uttara Kannada – Khadar – reported heavy rainfall.

According to the IMD release, rain and thunderstorms are very likely over most places in coastal Karnataka over the next five days, and at many places in north interior and south interior parts of the state as well.

IMD has also issued a thunderstorm as well as heavy rainfall warning for the next 24 hours over isolated places in coastal Karnataka.

However, the IMD bulletin also said that southwest monsoon had been weak so far in the state.