Bengaluru News: Authorities have declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district on Friday after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy rainfall and issued an orange alert for the region. Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV ordered the closure of all educational institutions, including Anganwadis, primary schools, high schools, pre-university colleges and Class 12 institutions, as a precautionary measure amid the deteriorating weather conditions. The district administration said the order applies to all government, aided and private institutions. It warned that any institution found conducting classes despite the directive could face legal action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The IMD has forecast heavy rain across Dakshina Kannada on Friday, prompting the orange alert. Yellow alerts have also been issued for Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Dharwad and Belagavi districts, while additional orange and yellow alerts are in force for several parts of Karnataka on July 4.

The weather department has predicted moderate rainfall in Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural districts until July 8. Similar conditions are expected in Bagalkote, Bidar, Haveri, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Raichur, Vijayapura and Yadgir districts. Moderate rain has also been forecast for Chamarajanagar, Davangere, Chitradurga, Kolar, Mandya, Ramanagara, Tumakuru and Vijayanagara districts.

Dakshina Kannada remains one of the state’s most vulnerable districts during the monsoon. District authorities have identified 88 locations as ‘very dangerous’ landslide-prone zones. Official records show that 17 people have lost their lives in landslides over the past five years, while three fatalities have already been reported this year.

Areas stretching from Charmadi Ghat, Neria and Shishila in Belthangady to Kettikal in Mangaluru have been identified as highly vulnerable. Several locations in Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia, Kadaba and Ullal are also under heightened monitoring due to the risk of landslides and soil collapse.

According to a scientific study and an AI-based assessment by IIT Dharwad, more than 24% of Dakshina Kannada’s land area faces a high risk of severe land subsidence. The district administration has attributed the growing vulnerability partly to large-scale hill excavation and land alteration associated with development activities. To strengthen disaster preparedness, the administration has established 115 relief centres and deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams across vulnerable areas. Residents have been urged to evacuate immediately if advised by authorities, warning that ignoring official instructions could put lives at risk.

The southwest monsoon continues to remain active across Karnataka, with the IMD forecasting widespread rainfall in most districts until July 7. A red alert has been issued for the coastal districts of Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada for July 5, 6 and 7, with rainfall exceeding 204.5 mm expected in isolated places. Authorities have advised people living along riverbanks and in hilly regions to remain on high alert as overflowing rivers and landslides pose significant risks.

Orange alerts are in place for the coastal districts on July 3 and 4, while Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Mysuru and areas around Bengaluru are expected to witness heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms between July 5 and 7. Meanwhile, yellow warnings remain in force for southern interior Karnataka until July 4 and for most northern interior districts until July 7. Rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.4 mm could trigger localised flooding, waterlogging and traffic disruptions.

The IMD has also forecast scattered rainfall across Kasaragod, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada until around July 11, while the Malnad districts, including Kodagu, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga, are expected to continue receiving widespread rain until about July 10 before conditions gradually improve.

Authorities have advised motorists to drive carefully as persistent rainfall is likely to reduce visibility and make roads slippery. Tourists, residents of low-lying areas and people living near rivers and unstable slopes have been urged to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel and check weather conditions before setting out.