Bengaluru, May 21 (UNI) Torrential rains continued to batter several parts of Karnataka on Wednesday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for seven districts and an orange alert for the state capital, Bengaluru.

Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan are now under red alert, with the IMD forecasting extremely heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and gusty surface winds over the next 24 hours. The sudden spike in rainfall activity has put district administrations on high alert.

In Bengaluru, which remains under an orange alert, the skies opened up again on Tuesday, causing waterlogging and traffic snarls across major roads. The city recorded 0.4 mm of rain between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm, and more showers are likely through the week. Several IT companies and multinational firms have swiftly transitioned to work-from-home protocols to ensure employee safety and minimise disruption.

Tragically, the rains have already claimed five lives across the state. In a shocking incident in Bengaluru’s NS Palya near BTM 2nd Stage, two men were electrocuted while attempting to pump out water from a rain-inundated apartment. Another rain-related fatality was reported in the city, with two more deaths elsewhere in Karnataka.

The IMD has also warned of flash floods in the seven high-risk districts, cautioning that low-lying areas may face inundation due to intense surface runoff. Residents have been urged to stay indoors, follow safety advisories, and monitor updates from local authorities.

Meanwhile, the meteorological department has indicated that the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala within the next four to five days, which could further intensify rainfall across Karnataka in the coming week.

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