Severe rainstorms have ravaged southern India, claiming at least eight lives across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and prompting red alerts in multiple Kerala districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed large swathes of the region under weather warnings as pre-monsoon conditions intensify.
Karnataka bore the brunt of the rain fury, with five deaths reported statewide. In Bengaluru, relentless downpours over the past 36 hours led to three tragic deaths. Two residents, 63-year-old Manmohan Kamath and 12-year-old Dinesh, were electrocuted while attempting to clear floodwater from their apartment in BTM Layout. Another fatality occurred in Mahadevapura, where 35-year-old Shashikala died when a wall collapsed at her workplace. Two more victims in Raichur and Karwar died due to lightning strikes.
The city recorded over 100 mm of rainfall overnight, flooding key roads such as Hosur Road and Silk Board Junction. Authorities had earlier identified 210 flood-prone zones, and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar stated that stormwater drain upgrades were ongoing.
The IMD issued a red alert, indicating extremely heavy rainfall, for Kerala’s northern districts: Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode. Orange and yellow alerts remain in effect for other regions. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority warned of potential landslides, urging vulnerable communities to evacuate. The monsoon’s early arrival is also anticipated within the next five days, possibly the earliest onset since 2009.
Tamil Nadu reported three deaths after a wall collapse in Madurai district during Monday’s heavy rain. Victims included a 10-year-old boy and his grandmother.
The IMD warned of further intense weather due to an expected cyclonic circulation over the Arabian Sea. With rain and thunderstorms predicted to persist, residents across the affected states are advised to stay indoors and remain alert.