Bengaluru: An unusually early onset of the southwest monsoon and 45% excess rainfall in May which has already claimed nearly a dozen lives have raised concerns of a repeat of the 2018 deluge that severely affected Karnataka and Kerala.Several rivers are already in spate, isolated landslides have been reported, and infrastructure and crops have suffered damage. Officials warn that if heavy rain continues through the core monsoon months of June to Sept, the situation could worsen.The coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, along with the Malnad belt—Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga and parts of Hassan—are among the worst affected.

Incessant rainfall over the past fortnight has triggered flash floods, blocked roads, snapped power lines, and uprooted trees."It's pouring. I last saw this kind of rain 30 to 40 years ago," said CK Ganapathy, a coffee planter in Kodagu."This is abnormal and driven by early monsoon currents and moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea," said officials at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bengaluru. The IMD has issued an orange alert for the coastal belt, forecasting continued heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next three to four days.

Disaster response units are on high alert. The revenue department has reported damage in nearly 100 villages, mostly in southern Karnataka. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in vulnerable areas. "Schools, gram panchayat offices, and community halls are being prepared to serve as relief shelters," said disaster management officials.Landslides in a few parts of Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru have disrupted road connectivity, "We've cleared two minor landslides near Agumbe and are monitoring 40 other locations for slope stability," said engineers from the public works department.

"If this is the situation now, imagine what it will be like when the monsoon peaks in July and Aug," they added.Farmers in coastal and Malnad regions are reporting crop losses due to waterlogging in paddy fields and damage to coffee, arecanut and other plantations. "My two-acre paddy field is submerged just two weeks after transplanting," said Ramesh Shetty, a farmer in Kundapura. "My four-acre coffee estate near a channel is completely inundated, leading to pests and diseases," added Naveen Somaiah, a coffee grower at Thithimathi in Kodagu.According to the agriculture department, over 3,500 hectares of farmland across five districts have been affected. "We're assessing losses. Input subsidies and crop insurance processes will be activated soon," said a senior official.Deforestation & unregulated constructionExperts have pointed to unregulated construction and deforestation in the Western Ghats as contributing factors to the region's growing vulnerability.

"It's not just about the rain—catchment degradation and reduced soil absorption make things worse," said Dr. Nandini Kumar, ecologist and climate researcher.With the monsoon forecast to be "normal to above normal," authorities claim that they are all geared up to face any eventuality. Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who held a review meeting with deputy commissioners, has directed them to remain prepared for any eventuality and submit weekly reports. "Rescue teams are in place, and funds are being released for temporary relief," the CM said.