Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sept 27: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several coastal and interior districts of Karnataka, as the state comes under the grip of a fresh spell of heavy rain. Widespread showers are expected to continue across the region till October 2, with the coastal belt and northern districts facing the brunt.

From October 1, the coastal districts — including Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, and Udupi — are likely to see intensified rainfall activity. Simultaneously, moderate to heavy showers are forecast for parts of South interior Karnataka, prompting weather advisories across central and southern districts.

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Yellow alert issued for Coastal and Central Karnataka

A yellow alert has been sounded for Ballari, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Vijayanagara, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, and Udupi, where rainfall may cause waterlogging and localised disruptions. Additional showers are expected in Dharwad, Haveri, Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapur, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Hassan, Kodagu, Mandya, Mysuru, Ramanagara, and Tumakuru districts.

Orange alert for Northern districts

The situation is more serious in North interior Karnataka, where an orange alert has been issued for Bagalkote, Bidar, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Raichur, Vijayapura, and Yadgir. These areas are expected to receive very heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of flooding, crop damage, and transport blockades.

Bhima River floods disrupt life in North Karnataka

Heavy rain has already wreaked havoc across North Karnataka, where several towns and villages are experiencing inundation. Areas affected include Sindagi, Hunsagi, Kakkeri, Kembhavi, Chincholi, Aurad, Bhalki, Devar Hippargi, Humnabad, Indi, Nelogi, Saidapur, Sedam, and Afzalpur.

In Vijayapura, the overflowing Bhima River has submerged homes and farmland in parts of Almel taluk. In Kumasgi village, more than 30 houses have gone underwater, with hundreds of acres of paddy and cotton crops destroyed. Villagers have demanded a compensation of Rs 25,000 per acre, citing severe agricultural losses.

Kattisangavi Bridge submerged; National Highway cut off

The situation worsened in Kalaburagi, where continued downpours and a release of 3.40 lakh cusecs of water from Maharashtra have caused the Kattisangavi Bridge near Jewargi to submerge. This has led to the closure of the Bidar–Srirangapatna National Highway, leaving vehicles stranded in long queues stretching several kilometres.

Massive inflows from Maharashtra deepen crisis

With Maharashtra also facing torrential rain, the Ujani reservoir has discharged large volumes of water into the Bhima River, worsening the flood situation downstream in Karnataka. Heavy inflows from the Sannati barrage in Kalaburagi are now moving into Yadgir district.

In Naikal village, the damage is extensive. Hundreds of acres of fertile farmland have been completely submerged. Farmers have lost standing crops, with water reaching over a kilometre inland from the riverbanks. Locals describe the scene as “an ocean where farms used to be”.“Every thing is gone. Our livelihoods are drowning with the flood,” said a distressed farmer, watching helplessly as waters swallowed his fields.

Officials on high alert

With more rain in the forecast and river levels still rising, district administrations remain on high alert. Emergency response teams have been deployed to assess damage, provide relief, and monitor flood-prone areas. Farmers and residents along riverbanks have been urged to move to safer locations as a precautionary measure.