A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Dakshina Kannada district on Saturday after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy rains and issued a red alert in the district for the next five days.

"Due to a warning by IMD of heavy rainfall in coastal Karnataka from July 20 to 22. Everyday over 200 mm rainfall is forecast and red alert has been issued. Taking note of this, the district administration has declared a holiday to schools and colleges (government and private) on July 20,"  read a statement by the Dakshina Kannada district administration.

The advisory also warned children against going near water bodies while the fishing community has also been advised against entering the seas in the next few days.

Control rooms have been set up in the Deputy Commissioner's office. Residents in the district can reach out to the administration on the WhatsApp number - 9483908000 - or by contacting the emergency number - 1077.

While the IMD has forecast over 200 mm rainfall for the next five days, the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) predicted heavy to very heavy rains over coastal and Malnad regions of Karnataka. 

Rainfall Forecast (for next 24 hrs): Widespread heavy to very heavy rains likely over Coastal Karnataka & Adjoining parts of Malnad region and scattered to widespread light to moderate rains with isolated heavy rains likely over remaining parts of the state. pic.twitter.com/W8bcVhVJi5

— KSNDMC (@KarnatakaSNDMC) July 19, 2019

On Thursday morning, a spell of heavy rain in Mangaluru led to inundation at the Mangaluru Central Railway Station. Water entered the cloak room and the platform at the station. An official at the railway station confirmed that the rains did not disrupt the schedules of trains. Low lying areas near MG Road's Empire Mall were also inundated.