IMD: Red Alert in 10 North Karnataka districts; Heavy rains continue in coastal belt

Heavy showers, accompanied by thunder and lightning, have been predicted in 10 districts in north Karnataka. The prediction has been made owing to the deep depression over Bay of Bengal.

Bengaluru: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday, has predicted heavy showers, accompanied by thunder and lightning, for 10 districts in north Karnataka.

A red alert has been sounded for Bagalkot, Gadag, Haveri, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Belagavi, Raichur, Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts for Wednesday and Thursday.

Owing to the deep depression over Bay of Bengal, gusty winds of up to 55-65 kmph travelled through parts of Andhra Pradesh leading to the formation of cyclonic circulation, which have triggered rains in Karnataka.

Meanwhile heavy rains lashing the coastal belt since October 13 night have flooded several low-lying areas in Mangaluru besides causing extensive damage to public and private properties.

For the second consecutive year, the southwest monsoon from June-September has been very good for Karnataka, with 27 percent excess rainfall.

Though the monsoon normally withdraws from the region by the third or fourth week of September, cloud formation and surface winds have brought widespread rains in the state’s coastal, central, and south interior areas over the last 10 days.