Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 18: With a depression formed over the Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rains across Karnataka for the next five days, and red alerts have been issued for five districts.

According to IMD, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada (DK), Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Uttara Kannada districts are under red alert, while Belagavi and Haveri have been placed under orange alert. Ballari, Bengaluru Urban, and Bengaluru Rural are also expected to witness strong winds along with moderate to continuous rainfall.

Bengaluru city is likely to receive continuous rainfall till August 23, with cloudy skies and light to moderate showers accompanied by winds at a speed of 40–50 kmph. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 25°C and the minimum around 20°C over the next 24 hours. Similar weather conditions are expected to continue for the next 48 hours.

The IMD said that the low-pressure system developed over the Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast is likely to intensify by August 19, bringing more widespread rains with strong winds to Karnataka. Heavy rains are expected across coastal and northern interior regions till August 20, while Bengaluru and other parts of south interior Karnataka are likely to receive heavy rains till August 23. A gradual decline in rainfall is expected between August 24 and 26.

Authorities have advised residents in low-lying areas of Bengaluru, Malenadu, and coastal districts to remain vigilant over the coming days. Civic agencies have been instructed to keep emergency teams on alert to deal with possible floods, uprooting of trees, and other rain-related damages.