Bhatkal: Coastal and southern parts of Karnataka, including Uttara Kannada and Udupi, are experiencing relentless heavy rainfall as a result of active weather systems over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Wednesday in several districts, including Uttara Kannada, warning of extremely heavy rainfall.
The red alert also applies to Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, and Kodagu. An orange alert remains in effect for Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Davanagere, and Mysuru. The alert will continue on Thursday in Belagavi, Dharwad, and Haveri, indicating the likelihood of very heavy rain in those areas as well.
In Bhatkal, heavy rains began early Tuesday and continued throughout the day. Following a brief pause, the showers resumed with intensity early Wednesday morning around 4:00 AM and lasted until approximately 10:00 AM.
Similar conditions were reported in Honnavar, Kumta, and Ankola, where the rain began early Wednesday and continued uninterrupted until 10:00 AM. This was followed by intermittent but intense showers that left almost the entire district severely affected.
On the Kumta–Siddapur State Highway, rainwater mixed with mud accumulated on the road, disrupting vehicular movement for a few hours. Meanwhile, on National Highway 766E between Kumta and Sirsi, a minor landslide caused boulders to fall onto the road, temporarily affecting traffic.
In Bhatkal, waterlogging near Shamsuddin Circle—the heart of the town—caused brief traffic disruption on the National Highway, repeating an issue that has persisted for several years. Locals allege that illegal stalls constructed over stormwater drains around the circle are blocking the water’s natural flow. As a result, water accumulates every year, affecting highway traffic. However, at Ranginkatta on the National Highway, the newly built drainage system proved effective, and no waterlogging was reported there this time.
In several parts of Bhatkal where roads were dug up for underground drainage (UGD) works and later refilled with soil, the heavy rain washed away the loose top layer, making the roads impassable for vehicles. The APJ Abdul Kalam Road connecting Asarkeri to Maqdoom Colony and the road near Venkatapur Ice Factory were among the most affected. On the APJ Abdul Kalam Road, the refilled soil was washed away, making the stretch difficult to use, while the road near the Venkatapur Ice Factory has sunk and is riddled with potholes, rendering it completely unusable for vehicles.
Official sources reported that Bhatkal received 128 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, bringing the total rainfall recorded in the town so far this year to 204.6 mm.
By evening, the intensity of the rain had decreased across Uttara Kannada district, including Bhatkal, and the showers appeared to have stopped after 8:00 PM. However, the Meteorological Department has warned that there is a possibility of heavy rain in Uttara Kannada district tomorrow, Thursday, as well.