CM Hebbalkar Issues Urgent Advisory as Udupi Faces Heavy Rainfall; Anganwadis Closed for Safety

Udupi, Karnataka | May 30, 2025 —
In response to intensifying rainfall across the coastal belt, Karnataka Chief Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar has directed the Udupi district administration to undertake immediate precautionary measures, especially in vulnerable tourist and shoreline zones. As monsoon currents lash the western coast, local authorities have moved swiftly to prevent potential disasters.

Among the first actions: all Anganwadi centers in Udupi district have been ordered shut by the District Collector as a precautionary holiday, citing safety risks posed by continuous downpours and flash flood possibilities in low-lying areas.

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Red Alert Conditions Brewing Along Coast

Over the past 48 hours, Udupi has recorded over 110 mm of rainfall, with neighboring districts like Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada witnessing similar surges. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has kept the district under an orange alert, predicting continued heavy rain, occasional thunder, and gusty winds through the weekend.

The CM’s office, in a press statement issued Thursday morning, emphasized the importance of early intervention.

“Tourist locations, riversides, and seashores are particularly high-risk zones during this period,” said Chief Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. “District authorities must coordinate closely with local panchayats and emergency responders to ensure public safety and zero casualties.”

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Tourism and Coastal Areas Under Surveillance

The directive comes amid a surge in seasonal tourism to Malpe Beach, St. Mary’s Island, Kaup Lighthouse, and riverbank picnicking zones that remain active during early monsoon months. With strong tides and erosion risks intensifying, the administration is set to deploy additional life guards, issue red flags at swimming zones, and suspend boating activities at all public tourist spots until further notice.

Local police have also been instructed to carry out patrols along riverbanks, warning families and children against venturing into high-flow areas, especially during evenings and early mornings.

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Anganwadis Closed: Protecting the Most Vulnerable

The District Collector's order to shut all Anganwadis has been welcomed by education and child welfare groups. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) network, which runs pre-schools and nutrition programs for children under 6, is especially vulnerable to climate-related disruptions.

“These centers are often in rural or semi-rural structures that are not equipped to withstand strong rain or wind damage,” said Dr. Prashanthi Rao, a child development expert based in Manipal. “It’s a smart and compassionate move.”

No decision has yet been made on broader school closures in the district, but monitoring is ongoing with a review expected by Friday evening.

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Emergency Systems Activated

Following the CM's advisory, the Udupi district disaster management cell has:

• Activated control rooms at taluk offices

• Circulated emergency helpline numbers

• Positioned sandbags and pumping equipment in flood-prone colonies such as Brahmavar, Kundapura, and Karkala

• Instructed panchayat bodies to stock chlorine tablets and dry rations for immediate relief if needed

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Fishermen Warned, Rural Roads on Watch

Coastal security authorities and the Fisheries Department have advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea until IMD clearance. Many rural roads leading to interior paddy fields have already shown signs of wear and early landslip near Agumbe and Hebri.

State Public Works officials have dispatched engineers to inspect culverts, bridges, and school access roads, especially those built under older specifications vulnerable to waterlogging.

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Public Advisory

The Udupi district administration urges residents to:

• Avoid river crossings and beach visits until alerts are withdrawn

• Report flooding or blocked drainage to the taluk control room

• Keep emergency contact numbers handy

• Supervise children closely and avoid open storm drains

• Follow verified updates and avoid sharing unconfirmed alerts on social media

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Conclusion: Monsoon’s First Test for Coastal Karnataka

The unfolding situation in Udupi is a crucial early test for Karnataka’s 2025 monsoon disaster readiness strategy. With Chief Minister Hebbalkar taking the lead in ensuring district-level preparedness, the focus now rests on local execution, community cooperation, and real-time response mechanisms.

As the skies remain grey and thunderclouds loom, Udupi’s proactive stance could be the difference between disruption and disaster prevention.