IMD issues heavy rain warning for Coastal Karnataka, thunderstorms likely in next 48 hours
Despite rains, temperature in Coastal Karnataka likely to go up by 4 degrees till Thursday
Bengaluru: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a thunderstorm warning for coastal parts of Karnataka and a 'watch' warning for southern Karnataka for the upcoming days of the week. The warnings come as the monsoon season begins in the region.
According to the IMD's daily bulletin, rain or thundershowers are expected to occur at many places over Coastal Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka, and isolated places over North Interior Karnataka until Thursday. The IMD has also predicted thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds at isolated places, with wind speeds reaching 30 to 40 kmph over the interior parts of Karnataka. Additionally, isolated thunderstorms are likely to occur over coastal Karnataka within the next 48 hours.
The IMD has noted that maximum temperatures in Interior Karnataka are expected to be above normal by four to five degrees Celsius at isolated places, while coastal Karnataka may experience temperatures above normal by three to four degrees Celsius until Thursday.
The IMD has also issued a fisheries warning, stating that squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40 to 45 kmph and gusting up to 55 kmph is likely to prevail over the Karnataka coast until Wednesday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period.
For Bengaluru city, the IMD has forecasted a generally cloudy sky for the next two days, with light to moderate rain or thundershowers expected. Strong surface winds are also anticipated at times, with maximum and minimum temperatures predicted to be around 28 and 21 degrees Celsius respectively.
At the same time, due to heavy rainfall warnings from the IMD, schools in parts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu, including Thirupathur and Thiruvannamalai, have been closed.
As a result of the showers, around 10 Chennai-bound flights have been diverted to Bengaluru, Karnataka, due to the adverse weather conditions, wrote Hindustan Times quoting a report by Times Now. The report also mentions that international flights have been affected as a result of being diverted to Bengaluru including those from Doha, Abu Dhabi, London, Sharjah, Colombo, Singapore, Muscat and Dubai.
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Cabinet reshuffle is CM's prerogative in consultation with Cong high command: G Parameshwara
Bengaluru(PTI): Amid speculation that a cabinet reshuffle was on the cards, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister and he would take a decision in consultation with the state Congress President and the high command.
Deputy CM and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar's statement on Tuesday indicating the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle in the days ahead, noting that few Ministers have been given a "message" about their term, has further fueled the speculations about the rejig.
"I don't know about it. Cabinet reshuffle is the Chief Minister's prerogative. He will consult the Pradesh Congress Committee President and go about it, this has been the practice. I don't know what decisions they make. It has to be done in consultation with the high command," Parameshwara told reporters.
To a question on Shivakumar's statement, he said, "He (Shivakumar) is the party state President, I don't know what messages he has sent (to some Ministers)."
Speculations are rife about a cabinet reshuffle and evaluation of the performance of the Ministers ever since the Lok Sabha poll results. There has also been demand from a section of MLAs, who are Ministerial aspirants, to be inducted into the cabinet. Some have openly expressed their wish to become Ministers.
To a question on a seer's comments that the voting rights of Muslims should be revoked, the Home Minister said, making remarks contrary to the Constitution is not right, and no one should speak or go against it.
"Probably he (seer) has not properly seen the principles of the Constitution and the rights and opportunities provided in it for every community and religion. It is clear in the Constitution," he said.
Asked about Congress MLA H R Gaviyappa publicly asking the CM to drop at least two of the five ‘guarantee’ schemes to provide money for development works, the state Home Minister said, "Any legislator asking for funds to his constituency is not wrong, so Gaviyappa is not wrong in asking for funds for his constituency."
"But unfortunately he has expressed his personal opinion regarding the guarantee schemes. That has been taken by the party and the government. We had promised the people of the state that we will full the promises, so we are implementing them. We cannot go back on that," he added.
Deputy CM Shivakumar had on Tuesday said he would issue a showcause notice to Gaviyappa and warned party leaders against making such statements regarding guarantee schemes.
Responding to a question on an Assamese girl found murdered at a serviced apartment in east Bengaluru, Parameshwra said such incidents in a way bring bad name to the city.
"It (alleged murder) is on very personal grounds. Both of them (suspect and victim) knew each other and were in love. They had stayed in a hotel room and he has stabbed her there. Both of them are outsiders. She is from Assam and he is from Kerala. Police keep watch on such things, but when such incidents occur, it in a way brings a bad name to the city," he said.
Asked about the suicide of a woman, who is a suspect in the alleged scam in Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation, the Minister said investigation is on, can't say anything further until the probe is over.
On the protest by prisoners against the jail authorities at Kalaburagi central prison, alleging lack of facilities there, Parameshwara said he will speak to DG (Director General) Prisons about it.
"Already we have reviewed all the jails. If there are any necessities there it will be fulfilled. I will give instructions to the DG," he said.
