- By Priyanka Koul
- Tue, 20 May 2025 06:22 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Heavy rainfall across southern India has tragically claimed lives in the past couple of days, with deaths reported from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu amid continuous downpours.
Relentless rainfall has severely impacted daily life in Karnataka, particularly in the capital city of Bengaluru. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu under weather alerts, warning of more rain ahead.
Five Dead in Rain-Related Incidents in Karnataka
In Bengaluru, torrential rainfall has brought the city to a standstill. Several areas were submerged under knee-deep water, making commuting extremely difficult and causing massive traffic snarls. Key routes like Silk Road Junction, Hosur Road, and BTM Layout were among the worst hit by flooding.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar noted that “210 flood-prone areas had been identified in the city.” He added that most of the necessary work had been completed to address them and that progress continued in the remaining locations. The Congress-led government has reportedly constructed 197 km of stormwater drains in the city, with ₹2,000 crore allocated to the project.
The recent spell of rain has turned deadly. Five rain-related deaths were reported in Karnataka alone, with three fatalities in Bengaluru in the last 36 hours. Two people died of electrocution at Madhuvan Apartment in NS Palya near BTM 2nd Stage. According to Mico Layout Police, 63-year-old Manmoham Kamath was using a motorised pump to remove water from his home on Monday evening. “But when he connected the pump to a socket, there was a short circuit,” which caused his death.
On the same day, a 35-year-old housekeeping employee named Shashikala lost her life when a wall collapsed on her at her workplace in Mahadevapura.
Elsewhere in the state, lightning strikes claimed two more lives in the Raichur and Karwar regions, as confirmed by officials.
The IMD reported 30 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours, while the city recorded a more intense 105 mm of rain between Sunday night and Monday morning. Bengaluru has been placed under orange alert for Tuesday, while many other Karnataka districts remain under yellow alert.
Districts expected to be affected include Bagalkot, Bangalore Urban and Rural, Belgaum, Chikkaballapura, Dharwad, Gadag, Kolar, Koppal, and Vijayanagara. Uttar Kannada and Dakshina Kannada are also under yellow alert.
The IMD has also highlighted a developing upper air cyclonic circulation over the east-central Arabian Sea off the Karnataka coast, expected to evolve into a low-pressure system and intensify as it moves northward.
Kerala on High Alert as Rain Continues
In Kerala, four northern districts Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode are under red alert due to heavy rain. An orange alert has been issued for Palakkad, Malappuram, and Thrissur, while yellow alerts cover Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has warned of a heightened risk of landslides and mudslides in hilly regions. Authorities have advised residents in low-lying areas to consider relocating to relief shelters if necessary.
Southwest Monsoon on the Horizon
The IMD has indicated that the southwest monsoon could arrive in Kerala within the next four to five days, making it one of the earliest onsets over the Indian mainland since 2009, when the monsoon began on May 23 instead of its usual June 1 date.
“Conditions are also likely to become favourable for further advancement of southwest monsoon over some more parts of South Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Maldives and Comorin area, some parts of Lakshadweep area, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, some more parts South and Central Bay of Bengal, Northeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of northeastern states during the same period,” the IMD stated.
Kerala is expected to receive widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. Isolated regions, especially in Kerala and Mahe, may see heavy to very heavy rainfall on May 20.
Tamil Nadu Faces Deadly Impact of Rain
Tamil Nadu has also been hit by heavy rain and thunderstorms, with many parts of the state receiving very heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours. Chennai is expected to see partly cloudy skies with chances of moderate rain or thunderstorms through May 26.
Tragically, at least three people, including a 10-year-old boy, died in a wall collapse triggered by heavy rain in Valaiyangulam village near Thirupparankundram. The incident happened around 7 pm on Monday on Muthalamman Kovil Street. According to Madurai District Superintendent of Police Arvind, the deceased were identified as 65-year-old Ammappillai, her grandson Veeramani (10), and their neighbour Vengatt (55).
They had been sitting at the entrance of the house during a power outage when the wall, weakened by the heavy rain, suddenly gave way.