Heavy Rain Alert for Coastal Karnataka Districts as Monsoon Intensifies

08-Jun-2026 01:50 PM

Thiruvananthapuram: The Southwest Monsoon has crossed the Kerala border and become active in the coastal regions of Karnataka. In view of this, the Meteorological Department has issued a 'Red Alert' for torrential rain on June 9 for districts including Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, and Shivamogga. Rainfall is expected to commence in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts as early as June 8.

Karnataka is a key agricultural state in South India, where crops such as tur (pigeon pea), moong (green gram), maize, soybean, cotton, and sugarcane are cultivated on a large scale during the Kharif season. The state also produces significant quantities of paddy, ragi (finger millet), and sunflower.

For June 10, the Meteorological Department has issued a 'Red Alert' for heavy rain in Belagavi, Dharwad, and Haveri districts, in addition to those mentioned earlier. A 'Red Alert' is issued for regions or districts where torrential rainfall exceeding 20 cm is anticipated within a 24-hour period.

The Southwest Monsoon arrived in Kerala on June 4; after stalling there for four days, it advanced and reached Karnataka on June 8. This clearly indicates a slow pace of monsoon advancement this year, as the factors driving its momentum are not particularly strong. Consequently, the monsoon may arrive with a delay in other states as well. Farmers rely on monsoon rains to begin the cultivation of Kharif crops.