Due to heavy rains and a red alert warning, all schools and anganwadis in Dakshina Kannada are closed today. Authorities urge public caution near water bodies.
By Staff Correspondent | Daijiworld | June 12, 2025 | Mangaluru
MANGALURU — In response to relentless heavy rain pounding the coastal belt, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has declared an emergency holiday for all anganwadis, primary, and high schools across the region on Thursday, June 12, citing safety concerns and a red alert issued by meteorological authorities.
The sudden declaration—though expected as rain intensifies—comes as the region continues to battle rising water levels, disrupted transportation, and swelling riverbanks.
Red Alert Issued Across Coastal Karnataka
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Dakshina Kannada, signaling the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm in 24 hours. The district, already witnessing above-average monsoon activity for early June, is bracing for further downpours, with saturated soil and overflowing streams creating flash flood risks.
Heavy Rain Alert in Dakshina Kannada: Schools Closed, Red Alert Issued
Schools and Anganwadis Closed: What Parents Need to Know
The holiday applies to all government, aided, and unaided private schools, as well as anganwadis in the district. Authorities emphasized the closure is precautionary and part of the district’s monsoon disaster preparedness strategy.
In a public advisory issued early Thursday morning, parents were urged to keep children indoors, avoid travel through low-lying areas, and strictly stay away from beaches, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes.
“Children should not be allowed near water bodies or flooded zones under any circumstance. With high winds and landslip-prone areas active, we are appealing for cooperation from the public,” said Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner M.P. Patil during a briefing.
No-Go Zones: Beaches, Riverbanks, Waterfalls
Authorities have prohibited entry to all coastal and water-adjacent zones, including Panambur Beach, Tannirbhavi, Someshwara, and the Nethravathi and Gurupura riverbanks. This includes strict bans on photography or videography at high-risk locations.
“Even for social media content or casual visits, we are urging complete restraint. These areas may look calm momentarily but can turn lethal in minutes,” a senior district disaster officer warned.
Tourists and local residents have been notified through police patrols, digital signage, and WhatsApp community alerts. Barricades are also being erected at key beach entry points.
Emergency Measures and Public Instructions
As per instructions from the District Collector’s Office, the following emergency protocols are now in force:
Taluk-level officers have been instructed to remain at headquarters and respond immediately to complaints from residents.
Tahsildars across taluks—including Mangaluru, Bantwal, Puttur, Belthangady, and Sullia—have been asked to stay in constant contact with field staff, with dedicated nodal officers monitoring each vulnerable zone.
Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea, and coastal surveillance teams are keeping track of any unauthorized boat activity.
Impact on Local Life & Transport
Public transport remains functional but limited. Several rural bus routes were suspended early Thursday due to submerged roads. Waterlogging has been reported in parts of Ullal, Pumpwell, BC Road, and Uppinangady, causing minor traffic disruptions.
Residents living near vulnerable hillocks or low-lying homes are being contacted for voluntary evacuation, especially in Charmadi Ghat and Puttur rural zones, known for frequent landslides during intense rains.
Meanwhile, farming activity in the region’s paddy belts has taken a hit, with fields around Vittal and Moodbidri already saturated and water stagnating in open plots.
A Broader Climate Signal?
This event is part of a larger pattern of increasingly intense early-monsoon rainfall along the Karnataka coast. Experts point to rising sea surface temperatures and erratic monsoon shifts as contributing factors.
“The red alert for Dakshina Kannada this early in June is unusual but not unprecedented. This may become more common due to climate volatility in the Arabian Sea,” notes climatologist Dr. Kavya Prabhu of Mangalore University.
Conclusion: Vigilance, Not Panic
While no major casualties or large-scale damage have been reported so far, officials warn that the next 48 hours are critical.
“We are not calling this a disaster yet—but a red alert is not a casual advisory. We want citizens to stay calm, stay dry, and stay informed,” Deputy Commissioner Patil concluded.
The administration has promised to review weather patterns at 6 AM and 6 PM daily for the next three days. Further holidays will be declared if rainfall intensity persists.
