Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Nov 30: Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kundapur experienced a sharp drop in temperature and widespread fog on November 29 as the impact of Cyclone Ditwah over Sri Lanka and the Arabian Sea triggered chilly, overcast conditions across the coast.

In Kundapur and Byndoor, cold weather persisted from morning till evening, with foggy conditions reducing visibility. Even by 10 am, the chill had not eased, and the weather resembled Bengaluru-like cloudiness with very little sunlight. By around 5 pm, dense fog covered the Udupi–Kundapur and Kundapur–Byndoor highway stretches, and the cold intensified further after nightfall.

Across Dakshina Kannada, Saturday morning saw cold winds, followed by a mix of sun and cloud. Fog conditions were reported during evening hours in parts of Bantwal and Beltangady taluks, though Charmady Ghat, which usually sees heavy fog during winter, has not yet recorded dense fog, according to travellers.

Fishermen in Shirali and Bhatkal said boat movement was affected early in the morning due to heavy fog triggered by strong easterly winds over the Arabian Sea.

The India Meteorological Department recorded a fall in both maximum and minimum temperatures in Mangaluru on Saturday. The maximum temperature was 30.2°C, 2.9°C below normal, while the minimum of 21.5°C was 0.8°C below the usual level. The department has forecast light rain in isolated parts of Dakshina Kannada over the next two days as the cold conditions continue.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall in Sri Lanka and is moving towards the Indian coastline, is expected to influence weather across Karnataka. The IMD has issued yellow and orange alerts for several coastal and south interior districts over the next five days, warning of rain, cloudy skies and increased chill.

From Nov 30, light rain is expected in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. North Karnataka may see a further increase in cold conditions. The same pattern is likely to continue for the next week, the IMD said.

Bengaluru and surrounding areas are expected to face cloudy skies, light to moderate showers and morning fog over the next 48 hours. Twelve districts — including Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu — are under a yellow alert for Sunday, with possibilities of rain accompanied by thunder in several regions.

Dry conditions are expected to prevail in the northern interior districts such as Bagalkote, Belagavi, Bidar, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Kalaburagi and Vijayapura, the IMD added.