Hyderabad, June 16, 2025: The IndiaMeteorologicalDepartment (IMD) has issued a red alert for Konkan, Goa, Coastal Karnataka, and Kerala, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm in the coming days as the southwest monsoon intensifies. The alert, signaling the need for immediate action, raises serious concerns for southern states, particularly those in the Krishna River basin, which is experiencing unusually high inflows into Karnataka’s reservoirs since early June. While the robust water levels bring relief to farmers and water managers, the combination of heavy rainfall and swollen reservoirs could lead to severe flooding, landslides, and disruptions across the region.

Krishna Basin: A Double-Edged Sword

The Krishna River basin, spanning Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, has seen significant inflows into major reservoirs like Almatti, Tungabhadra, and Jurala since the first week of June 2025. For instance, the Srisailam Dam, a joint project of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, recorded an impressive inflow of over 30,000 cusecs on June 1, fueled by widespread rainfall in upstream Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Similarly, #Almatti reservoir in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district held 27.284 TMC of water by late May, with inflows outpacing outflows, boosting hopes for irrigation and drinking water supply.

However, the IMD’s forecast of torrential rains threatens to exacerbate the situation. The Krishna basin, already saturated from early monsoon rains, faces increased risks of flash floods, particularly in low-lying areas of Coastal Karnataka and northern Kerala. The heavy rainfall could lead to excessive surface runoff and soil saturation, overwhelming drainage systems and submerging farmlands. In Karnataka’s Malnad region, which recorded 21.9 mm of rainfall against a normal of 9.5 mm in a single day last week, rivers and streams are already in spate, raising fears of downstream flooding.

Potential Consequences in Southern States
The red alert for #Coastal Karnataka, #Kerala, #Konkan, and #Goa underscores the potential for widespread disruption. Key consequences include:
Flash Floods and Urban Waterlogging: Coastal cities like Mangaluru, Udupi, and Kozhikode are at high risk of flash floods due to intense rainfall and poor drainage infrastructure. In Karnataka, recent heavy rains have already flooded low-lying areas in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan, disrupting traffic and daily life.
Landslides in Hilly Areas: The Western Ghats, running through Karnataka, Kerala, and Goa, are prone to landslides during heavy monsoon spells. Soil saturation from continuous rains could trigger landslides, endangering lives and blocking critical roads, as seen in previous years in Kodagu and Uttara Kannada