Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 4: Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, along with several other parts of the state, have been placed under an orange alert as the much-awaited southwest monsoon hitting Kerala on Thursday and advance into Karnataka within the next two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced.

Meteorologist N Puviarasan stated that the weather conditions are currently favourable for the onset of the monsoon. The wind direction, speed, and various atmospheric factors are actively aiding its progression.

The exact date of the monsoon's official entry into Karnataka will be declared on Thursday after evaluating the spread and intensity of the monsoon winds.

Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for the majority of the districts in the state for the next five days. An orange alert has been specifically issued for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Koppal, Gadag, Haveri, Dharwad, and Belagavi districts.

The meteorological department has advised the public to remain cautious due to the strong possibility of thunderstorms, lightning, squally winds, and heavy rainfall in these regions.

Weather experts noted that a conducive environment has formed for the southwest monsoon to advance further into the southwest and southeast parts of the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Kerala, parts of Tamil Nadu, and several areas over the Bay of Bengal.

Furthermore, a trough extending from western Uttar Pradesh to northern Tamil Nadu, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Arabian Sea near the south Kerala coast, and atmospheric developments near coastal Karnataka are accelerating the monsoon's momentum.

Notably, the IMD had previously estimated that the monsoon would enter Kerala around May 26 or 27. However, unfavourable weather patterns had delayed its arrival. With conditions now turning favourable, rainfall activity is expected to significantly increase across many parts of South India, including Karnataka.