Heavy rains: Red alert declared along Karnataka coast on June 8-9

Udupi/Mangaluru, Jun 8: Severe rains along with gusty winds and thunderstorms are expected in coastal Karnataka in the next three days. A red alert has been declared by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

The southwest monsoon has intensified in the coastal regions. Heavy to very heavy stormy rain is expected in coastal Karnataka for the next two to three days. A red alert is in effect on June 8 and 9, followed by orange alert on June 11 and 12. The IMD has warned the fishermen not to venture out for the next five days. 

The monsoon slightly picked up pace in the Dakshina Kannada district on Friday. Moderate to heavy rains were recorded in Mangaluru city, Ullal, and other nearby rural areas on Friday morning. Heavy downpour was recorded on Saturday again till noon in many parts.

Mangaluru recorded 31.6 mm of rainfall on Friday morning. According to the IMD, heavy rains or thunderstorms accompanied by high-velocity winds are predicted in one or two places in the coastal region over the next seven days.

On Friday, the weather alternated between sunshine and clouds in the coastal region, resulting in relatively cooler temperatures. The IMD forecast for Saturday predicts heavy rains with thunder in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasargod.

On Friday, there was a possibility of high-velocity winds in the Arabian Sea. Heavy rains are predicted in Karnataka and Goa over the next 48 hours. On Friday, the maximum temperature recorded in the district was 30.3°C, while the minimum was 23.2°C.

As of Friday morning, a total of 6.7 mm of rain was recorded in the Dakshina Kannada district. The taluk-wise breakdown of rainfall is as follows: Beltangady - 5 mm, Bantwal - 4.1 mm, Mangaluru - 8.1 mm, Puttur - 6.1 mm, Sullia - 10.1 mm, Moodbidri - 2.1 mm, Kadaba - 4.2 mm, and Ullal - 3.1 mm.