Karnataka on RED ALERT: IMD Warns of Extremely Heavy Rain in Bengaluru & Coastal Karnataka; Flood Risk Rising

Bengaluru and several parts of Karnataka will experience a week-long spell of intense rainfall, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert warnings for multiple regions. The forecast says that extremely heavy to very heavy rain is expected in the area today and for the next few days. The heavy rainfall will be accompanied by strong surface winds, raising concerns of urban flooding, traffic disruptions across the state.

Heavy monsoon rainfall in Bengaluru has triggered waterlogging, local flooding, and severe traffic jams across major junctions and several low-lying areas, including Silk Board, Bommanahalli, Marathahalli, Koramangala, HRBR Layout, Bellandur, and Whitefield. IMD has warned that continued heavy downpour could cause the flooding crisis, disrupt daily commutes with traffic and impact essential services in Bengaluru.

IMD Rain Forecast for Karnataka

As per the latest IMD rain forecast and warnings, scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across Karnataka till August 20th. Particularly in coastal and interior Karnataka, may witness very heavy to extremely heavy rain with wind speeds strong enough to affect daily life.

The subdivision-wise IMD warnings issued on August 18 highlight:

Coastal Karnataka: Extremely heavy rain with strong surface winds on August 18, very heavy rain till August 20, followed by heavy rain till August 24.

North Interior Karnataka: Very heavy rain with strong winds on August 18-19, moderate showers on August 20, and improved conditions thereafter.

South Interior Karnataka: Extremely heavy rain with strong winds on August 18, very heavy rain on August 19, and moderate rainfall on August 20. The weather is likely to improve from August 21.

Bengaluru Weather Update

The city recorded a maximum temperature of 25.6°C and a minimum of 21.0°C in the past 24 hours (August 17), with 1.7 mm of rainfall. Humidity levels were high, standing at 96% in the morning and 88% by evening.

The 7-day Bengaluru weather forecast suggests:

August 17-21: Cloudy skies with light rain, maximum temperatures ranging between 26°C and 28°C.

August 22-23: Rainfall activity is expected to intensify with moderate showers and slightly warmer daytime conditions near 28°C.

Flood Concerns and Rising Rivers

As per the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre report, the river Tunga at Mahishi in the Shivamogga district has already crossed the danger level and continues to rise slowly, raising concerns of flooding in nearby low-lying areas. This is causing a lot of pressure on the civic authorities, who are already struggling with waterlogging, overflowing drains, and possible interruptions in power and transport.

Advisory for Residents

Residents of Bengaluru and other affected districts are advised to stay alert, avoid waterlogged zones, and plan travel accordingly as the Bengaluru rains continue. Since IMD red alerts are issued, citizens should follow updates from the IMD and local authorities for timely advisories.