As the southwest monsoon gains momentum across India, several states—especially Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu—are witnessing intensified rainfall, red alerts, and widespread weather-related disruptions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple red, orange, and yellow alerts through June 16, 2025, warning of very heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds, and localized flooding. The deluge has already resulted in fatalities and infrastructural disruptions across Karnataka, while broader weather systems are impacting the rest of peninsular and central India.
Karnataka: Heavy Rains Claim Lives, Red Alert in Multiple Districts
Four Dead in Rain-Related Incidents
In Karnataka, four rain-related fatalities were recorded as relentless rains lashed the coastal, south-interior, and north-interior regions:
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In Dharwad, a 31-year-old man, Shivayya Basayya Vatnalmath, died and two others were injured after a tractor overturned in a stream at Hanchinal village in Kundgol taluk on June 11.
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On the same day, Hussainsab Kalasa, aged 58, went missing after his two-wheeler was washed away in an overflowing drain in Hubballi’s Nekar Nagar. His pillion rider was rescued by bystanders.
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In Belagavi district, two more people died due to incidents related to Thursday’s heavy downpour.
Monsoon Batters Coastal Karnataka: Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Kodagu Worst Hit
The coastal belt, including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kodagu, saw continuous and widespread rainfall as the IMD issued red alerts through June 16. The highest recorded rainfall up to 8:30 a.m. on June 12 included:
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Kilpady: 160 mm
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Baala: 114.5 mm
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Pudu: 110 mm
Other areas including Bantwal, Beltangady, Ujire, Dharmasthala, Charmadi, and Mangaluru also experienced heavy to intermittent rain. The IMD warned of waterlogging in low-lying areas and rising river levels across rural Kundapur and Karkala.
School Holidays Declared in Multiple Districts
In view of the red alert and incessant rainfall, district administrations in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kodagu declared school holidays:
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In Udupi, anganwadis and schools up to Class 10 remained closed on June 12 and 13.
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In Kodagu, the order extended up to the PUC level.
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In Udupi, however, PU colleges and higher education institutions remained operational.
Life Disrupted in Malnad and North Karnataka
The Malnad region (Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan) received more than double its usual rainfall, recording 21.9 mm in 24 hours, as against a normal of 9.5 mm. Some specific data:
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Shivamogga district recorded 40.9 mm versus the usual 14 mm.
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Heavy rains uprooted trees, flooded low-lying areas, and severely affected motor traffic.
In North Karnataka, heavy rain affected Raibag and Kudchi in Belagavi district:
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The Guledgudda-Parvati Bridge over the Malaprabha river in Bagalkot was submerged, forcing traffic diversions.
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Water inundated homes, a hotel, and a petrol pump in Guledgudda town.
Rising Water Levels in Reservoirs
Due to heavy rainfall, water inflow into major Karnataka reservoirs surged:
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Lal Bahadur Shastri Reservoir (Almatti, Krishna River):
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Inflow: 12,641 cusecs
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Storage: 61.6 tmcft
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Outflow: 2,467 cusecs
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Hipparagi Barrage:
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Inflow: 11,608 cusecs
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Outflow: 5,497 cusecs
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Storage: 3.14 tmcft out of 6 tmcft total
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Renuka Sagar Dam (Malaprabha River):
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Storage: 10.4 tmcft out of 37 tmcft
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Outflow: 194 cusecs
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Raja Lakhamagouda Reservoir (Ghataprabha River, Hidkal):
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Storage: 48.98 tmcft out of 51 tmcft
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Inflow: 586 cusecs
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Outflow: 119 cusecs
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Telangana: Red Alert for Six Districts Amid Overnight Storms
In Telangana, Hyderabad residents were jolted awake on June 12 by thunderstorms, lightning, and torrential rains, especially in Gachibowli, Serilingampally, and Lingampally. Waterlogging was reported in many low-lying urban areas.
The IMD issued a red alert for six Telangana districts on June 13:
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Jayashankar Bhupalpally
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Mulugu
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Bhadradri Kothagudem
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Mahabubabad
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Warangal
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Hanumakonda
These areas are expected to receive heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.
Kerala: Orange Alert in Four Districts, Extremely Heavy Rain Forecast
The IMD placed an orange alert over Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode for June 13, forecasting very heavy rainfall. A yellow alert was issued for the remaining districts of Kerala.
A strengthened southwest monsoon supported by strong westerlies and an upper air cyclonic circulation over the west-central Bay of Bengal is responsible for the deluge. A trough now runs from this system across Chhattisgarh, Marathwada, interior Karnataka, to the coastal Karnataka region.
Nationwide Weather Forecast: June 13–18
The India Meteorological Department's bulletin issued on June 13 forecasts the following weather events across regions:
South Peninsular India (June 13–18)
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Heavy to very heavy rainfall over Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Lakshadweep.
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Extremely heavy rain likely over:
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Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal (June 14–15)
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Kerala and Mahe (June 14–17)
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South interior and coastal Karnataka (June 13–16)
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Strong surface winds (50–60 kmph) over Kerala, Mahe, Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and interior Karnataka.
Central and Western India
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Konkan and Goa, Central Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Gujarat to receive light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, and isolated heavy rainfall from June 13–18.
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Extremely heavy rain over Konkan and Goa expected between June 13–15 and again June 16–18.
Eastern and Northeastern India
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Isolated heavy rainfall in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, Bihar, and the northeast including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura.
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Very heavy rainfall in the northeast, especially in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh between June 16–18.
North and Northwest India
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Thunderstorms and light rainfall over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan until June 18.
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Heavy rainfall alert for Uttarakhand between June 13–18.
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Dust storms expected over West Rajasthan between June 14–18.
Heatwave and Temperature Trends Across India
While the southern half of India battles floods, north and central India face extreme heat:
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Severe heatwave conditions are likely in:
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West Rajasthan (June 13–15)
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Himachal Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Jammu, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh (June 13–14)
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Delhi is expected to experience hot, humid conditions with possible thunderstorms, with maximum temperatures soaring to 42°C.
Monsoon 2025 Brings Twin Threats of Flood and Heat
The 2025 southwest monsoon has arrived with full force, bringing both life-giving rains and dangerous extremes. As red and orange alerts multiply across Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and beyond, local administrations and citizens must remain vigilant. While the rains offer relief from scorching heat and replenish reservoirs, they also pose significant risks including flash floods, infrastructure damage, and fatalities. The IMD’s extended forecasts and real-time alerts continue to play a crucial role in mitigation and preparedness.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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