Tue May 27 07:39:41 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Karnataka is experiencing heavy and early monsoon rains that began on May 26, 2025, causing widespread disruption and resulting in four rain-related deaths. Coastal and south-interior regions are heavily affected, with flooded roads, power outages, and damaged homes. Traffic is severely impacted, particularly on the Shiradi Ghat stretch of NH 75, leading to long delays. Schools and anganwadis are closed in several districts, and authorities are advising against trekking and river activities. Rainfall has significantly exceeded normal levels for this time of year.
**News Article:**
**Karnataka Battered by Early, Intense Monsoon; Four Dead**
**Bengaluru, May 27, 2025** – An unusually intense and early monsoon has struck Karnataka, causing widespread disruption and claiming the lives of four people since Monday. Coastal and south-interior regions are bearing the brunt of the downpour, leading to flooded roads, power outages, and damage to homes.
A three-year-old girl died in Gokak, Belagavi district, after a wall collapsed on her. In a separate incident on NH 75 near Bage in Sakleshpur, two Bengaluru residents, Abhishek, 27, and Sharath, 28, were killed in a car accident attributed to the heavy rains. Another person died near Gadikal in Koppa taluk after a tree fell on the autorickshaw he was riding.
Traffic has been severely impacted, especially on the Shiradi Ghat stretch of NH 75 connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru, leaving vehicles stranded for hours. Authorities are managing traffic by allowing vehicles one way, resulting in extended travel times.
In response to the heavy rains, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has declared a holiday for all pre-university colleges, schools, and anganwadis for Tuesday and Wednesday. The Chikkamagaluru district administration has also announced a holiday for anganwadis until Wednesday in heavily affected taluks. Tourists and residents are advised against trekking and entering rivers due to the dangerous conditions.
According to the latest data, Karnataka has received 257.6 mm of rainfall since January 1st, significantly exceeding the normal of 99.8 mm.