Torrential rains battered Karnataka on Thursday morning, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue orange and yellow alerts across multiple districts, signaling very heavy to heavy rainfall. The downpour has disrupted daily life, leading to school closures, traffic restrictions, and heightened safety measures as authorities scramble to manage the crisis.

In Bidar district, overnight rains in Aurad taluk caused severe flooding, with streams like the one in Narayanpur village overflowing and submerging bridges, including the Dadagi bridge in Badalgaon-Chondimukhed, Bhalki taluk. This forced a complete shutdown of vehicular traffic. Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in affected areas to ensure student safety.

Dakshina Kannada faced similar chaos, with the IMD issuing an orange alert for very heavy rainfall (11-20 cm). The district administration responded by closing all anganwadi centers, primary and high schools, government-aided and private institutions, and pre-university colleges in Mangaluru, Puttur, Mulki, Moodbidri, Ullal, and Bantwal taluks on Thursday. Parents were urged to keep children away from low-lying areas, lakes, rivers, and seashores, while fishermen were strictly warned against venturing into the sea.

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The IMD’s Bengaluru Meteorological Centre forecasted light to moderate rain with thundershowers, lightning, and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph in isolated areas over the next few hours. Yellow alerts were issued for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Kalaburagi, and Bidar, warning of potential power outages, minor traffic disruptions, and the risk of falling tree branches. The public was advised to stay indoors, secure windows and doors, unplug electrical appliances, and avoid travel or seeking shelter near trees and waterbodies.

Rainfall data from 8:30 AM on August 27 to 5:30 AM on August 28 revealed extreme weather, with Mangaluru AP recording 106.6 mm, Agumbe 108.5 mm, Gadag 70.1 mm, and Honnavar 87.7 mm between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM on August 27. The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) reported exceptionally heavy rainfall in coastal Karnataka, raising concerns about flash floods.

Authorities have mobilized taluk-level officers and tahsildars to remain on high alert, respond to public complaints, and coordinate with nodal officers. The IMD cautioned that intermittent rain, thunder, and winds may persist, urging residents to drive cautiously and stay updated on weather advisories. As Karnataka braces for more rainfall, the focus remains on minimizing disruptions and ensuring public safety.

Also Read: Andhra Pradesh Braces for Heavy Rain