Mangaluru, Feb 23: The coastal districts of Karnataka are expected to witness intermittent rainfall until February 27 as a weather system over the Bay of Bengal continues to influence conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

A depression currently centred near north Sri Lanka over the Bay of Bengal is gradually shifting eastward. With this movement, the moisture-carrying winds from the Bay of Bengal may weaken, making the overall intensity of rainfall uncertain and potentially lower than earlier projections.

In the meantime, several rural areas of Dakshina Kannada district have already received good rainfall. Weather officials have indicated that rain is likely across Kasaragod, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts over the coming days.

Authorities have cautioned that adverse weather could lead to minor disruptions in daily life. Strong winds may result in localized power outages, while wet roads are likely to slow traffic and cause congestion in some areas. There is also a risk of tree branches snapping due to gusty conditions, and residents have been advised to stay alert.

Rainfall is expected in scattered pockets, accompanied by thunder and lightning in certain places.

Meteorologists also noted the presence of a cyclonic circulation in the upper atmosphere over the southwest Bay of Bengal, near the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. This system has triggered the formation of a weak low-pressure area that is pulling moisture-laden clouds towards the Karnataka and Kerala coasts, sustaining rain activity across the region.

Heavy showers have already been recorded in parts of Dakshina Kannada, and rain is likely to persist for the next five days, with weather conditions remaining under close observation.