Schools shut down in Bengaluru as IMD issues a yellow alert for heavy rains

NEW DELHI: The Bengaluru Urban District Collector has ordered a holiday for Anganwadi, primary and high schools across the city on Wednesday following heavy rains warning.

Heavy downpour on early Tuesday disrupted life in central and southern parts of Karnataka, including the state capital Bengaluru.

India Meteorological Department officials have warned that widespread rainfall can be triggered due to a low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal. They further said that the arid regions of the state’s northern part may face similar weather conditions in the next 24 hours.

"This situation will prevail for the next three to four days," an official said.

The state capital faces a tough situation as students and office-goers stay stranded following road congestion due to rain. Many low-lying areas were waterlogged.

The city recorded 16 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours till 8.30 am on Tuesday.

Amid deteriorating weather conditions, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for many districts including Tumakuru, Mysuru, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kolar, Shivamogga, and Chikkaballapura, as well as coastal Karnataka.

A Yellow alert indicates expected heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.

Worsening conditions have led to cancellation of domestic and international flights including Akasa Air flight from Bengaluru to Chennai.