1. Another day of rain, waterlogged roads in Bengaluru
Bengaluru woke up to another day of waterlogged roads and heavy traffic jams on May 20 after pre-monsoon rains pounded the city in the early hours of the morning. Between 8.30 a.m. on May 19 and May 20, Bengaluru city station of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) received 37.2 mm rainfall while Bengaluru HAL airport station recorded 46.5 mm rainfall.
Many junctions, stretches and roads saw slow moving traffic owing to bad road condition, water-logging, vehicle breakdowns and tree-fall. The weatherman has forecast moderate to heavy rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds for the next 48 hours in Bengaluru. KSNMDC also issued an advisory for heavy to very heavy rains across Karnataka for the next three days.
For all the rain-related updates and to read The Hindu’s complete coverage of the impact of pre-monsoon showers on the IT city, click here. To explore live rainfall forecast issued for Karnataka and current rainfall intensity across the State, click here.
2. Red alert sounded in Coastal and Malnad Karnataka
Heavy rains lashed Udupi and Manipal on May 20 disrupting normal life. The IMD had issued a red alert (extremely heavy rainfall above 204.5 mm) for coastal Karnataka on May 20 and May 21 and until 8.30 a.m. on May 22. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district administrations have asked fishermen not to venture into the sea until May 23 and instructed those at sea to return to the ports.
Meanwhile, Chikkamagaluru district administration has appealed to people not to venture into rivers and to avoid low-lying areas. There are chances of landslips due to heavy rains. The IMD has issued red alert in several parts of the district on May 21, and also sounded a yellow alert for May 22.
3. Ranya Rao gets bail in gold smuggling case, but will stay in jail under COFEPOSA case
The Special Court of Economic Offences on Tuesday granted the statutory bail to gold smuggling suspects Kannada actor Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru Raju. The court stated that the two were entitled to default bail on executing a personal bond of ₹2 lakh each along with two sureties each.
However, despite the bail, Ranya’s release is unlikely since on April 22, the Centre had invoked the stringent Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act against all three, including Ranya. The law provides for the detention of a suspect for nearly a year without bail.
4. Rally to mark two years of Congress government in Karnataka begins amid torrential rains in Hosapete
The Samarpana Sankalpa Samavesha, a public meeting organised to commemorate two years of the Congress government in Karnataka, commenced in Hosapete on May 20 amidst continuous heavy rainfall.
While the majority of attendees took shelter under a vast waterproof canopy, many others struggled to find cover outside. The relentless downpour led to flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas, as well as traffic congestion at various points in the city.
5. 5% fee hike for degree courses in government colleges in Karnataka
The Department of Collegiate Education has increased the fee for various degree courses in government degree colleges and law colleges by 5% for the 2025-26 academic year. The fee hike will be applicable for BA, B.Com, BBA, BBM, B.Sc and law courses.
Officials of the department defended the increase saying that this will be applicable only for general merit students, as there is fee reimbursement for Scheduled Caste and Tribe, and girl students. Students have opposed the move.
Published – May 20, 2025 06:58 pm IST
