Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Bengaluru road-trippers, plan today’s monsoon window smartly for Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Wayanad. IMD’s district nowcast and radar update every three hours; check before departure, then again around noon and 6 pm. Expect fast‑changing bursts, low clouds, and slick ghats. Use live maps for district colours and station nowcasts to time crossings and meal halts.
Ghat snapshot this morning: motorists reported a smooth Shiradi last week, with intermittent showers. Charmadi faced repeated slips and short closures earlier this month; crews still clear debris after intense spells. Sampaje can turn slushy near hairpins. On Kerala’s side, Thamarassery saw frequent blockages from breakdowns and minor slides; expect stop‑and‑go traffic during squalls. Keep buffers and daylight margins.
Today’s rain alerts and ghat‑road risks
Kerala’s Thamarassery remains the volatile link to Kozhikode; multi‑axle curbs push heavy traffic to nights. Through Bandipur, forest night bans continue. The Madras High Court has also curbed tourist uphill movement on the steep Kalhatti shortcut; reach Ooty via Gudalur instead, and respect forest gate timings. Plan fuel and food stops before dusk on all ghats.
| Route | Today’s watch |
|---|---|
| Shiradi | Wet patches, sudden halts near scenic lay‑bys; keep distance. |
| Charmadi | Past week slips; closures possible in heavy bursts. Recheck at noon. |
| Sampaje | Slush and treefall pockets after downpours; avoid night runs. |
| Thamarassery | Intermittent blockades; night crowding from heavy‑vehicle curbs. |
| Gudalur–Ooty | Preferred over Kalhatti; forest night ban 8:30 pm–6 am. |
Treks and waterfalls: permits, closures, verification
Kudremukh permits are online and sell out quickly; new Forest SOPs enforce guides and caps. Tadiandamol saw safety closures earlier; verify live on Kodagu’s portal before booking stays. Hebbe is jeep‑only in monsoon, with access tightened during high flow. Hogenakkal coracle rides toggled mid‑August with Cauvery surges; check Dharmapuri updates. Shivanasamudra can restrict near viewpoints during spates.
How to verify live and drive safe
Before you start, confirm IMD district nowcast and radar, then recheck around noon and 6 pm. Track closures on Karnataka SEOC, police, and PWD handles. Validate trek slots on the Aranya Vihaara portal. Carry rain‑rated tyres, strong wipers, a tow‑strap, triangle, and dry bags. Avoid water‑logged overtakes, use low beam, and respect forest night bans.