Karnataka Weather Today: Very Heavy Rainfall Expected At These Places, IMD Issues Alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall warning for several districts of Karnataka, signalling a week of active monsoon-like conditions across multiple regions of the state.

Starting from May 19, several districts are likely to see light to moderate rain, along with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds reaching up to 50 kmph, according to the weather agency.

The IMD has forecast isolated heavy rain across the coastal belt and northern interior parts from May 19 to 24. Southern interior districts may also receive heavy rain between May 19 and 21. The intensity is likely to escalate, with very heavy rainfall predicted in coastal areas from May 20 to 22, and in parts of north and south interior Karnataka between May 19 and 22. Extremely heavy rain is predicted at isolated locations in coastal Karnataka on May 20.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the districts of Udupi, Haveri, Koppal, Chitradurga, Mandya, Mysuru and Tumakuru, indicating the likelihood of heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm. An orange alert — which signals the possibility of very heavy rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm — has been issued for parts of north interior Karnataka, including Bagalkote, Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag, as well as for districts in south interior Karnataka such as Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kodagu and Shivamogga.

Residents in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts should prepare for a cloudy and windy day on May 19. The city is likely to experience moderate rain or thundershowers, coupled with strong winds ranging between 40 and 50 kmph. The weather may bring brief disruptions, especially during peak commute hours.

A slight dip in daytime temperatures is expected over south interior Karnataka over the next five days, with mercury levels likely to fall by 2°C to 3°C. According to an IMD report on May 18, over 24 hours, isolated locations in the region have already experienced a drop of over 2°C, while some pockets in north interior Karnataka recorded a sharp rise in temperature within the same range.

Adding to the turbulent weather, a fresh upper air cyclonic circulation is expected to develop over the east-central Arabian Sea near the Karnataka coast around May 21. This is likely to intensify into a low-pressure system the following day, potentially influencing rainfall distribution further along the coast.

Meanwhile, atmospheric conditions continue to support the gradual advancement of the southwest monsoon. Over the next two to three days, the monsoon is expected to push further into the south Arabian Sea, the Maldives, and the Comorin area, parts of the south and central Bay of Bengal, and reach some areas in the northeast Bay of Bengal.