Those planning a trip to Karnataka’s beautiful coastal and Malnad regions may need to reconsider their plans as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the next five days. The alert, prompted by the vigorous advance of the southwest monsoon, warns of extremely heavy rainfall across six key districts, including popular destinations like Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Kodagu, and Chikkamagaluru.

Over the past three days, heavy rainfalls have already wreaked havoc across several parts of the state. Reports of landslides, waterlogging, and traffic disruptions have led authorities to act swiftly, deploying both National and State Disaster Response Force (NDRF and SDRF) teams in vulnerable areas. In Puttur, one NDRF team is on high alert, while Mangaluru and Subrahmanya each have SDRF teams stationed.

In terms of travel impact, all schools and private colleges in the affected districts have been ordered shut, causing widespread disruptions to local schedules. Mangaluru, a gateway to many coastal attractions, recorded more than 150 mm of rain in multiple localities, with nearby Bellare in Sullia topping the charts at 200.5 mm. Waterlogging and overflowing drains have led to severe traffic snarls, especially in Bantwal and Puttur, where rainfall exceeded 190 mm.

Beyond the red alert zones, six additional districts—Belagavi, Dharwad, Mysuru, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, and Mandya—are under an orange alert. Travellers to these regions should also exercise caution. Tragedy struck Belagavi on Monday when a wall collapse, triggered by heavy rain, claimed the life of a three-year-old girl. In Chikkamagaluru, a woman sustained serious injuries after a tree fell on her home.

The IMD’s latest forecast warns that rainfall could exceed 20 cm within the next 24 hours in coastal Karnataka, further heightening the risk of floods and landslides. Water levels in rivers and reservoirs are rising rapidly, particularly in Belthangady, prompting concerns about flooding in low-lying areas.


Tourists and travellers are strongly advised to stay updated with official advisories, postpone non-essential travel, and avoid hilly or flood-prone regions until conditions stabilize. This year’s early monsoon may have brought welcome rains, but it also serves as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability.

Stay safe, stay informed, avoid travelling to these regions for some days.