Bengaluru, Jul 25 (IANS): With the south-west monsoon remaining active, heavy rain lashed the northern districts of Karnataka, wreaking havoc and disrupting normal life, a weather official said on Saturday.

"Heavy and widespread rains in the state's northern districts in the last two hours caused havoc in towns and villages, throwing normal life out of gear, disrupting vehicular traffic and inundating low-lying areas," the official told IANS on phone.

As the monsoon advanced and remained active, north interior and coastal areas also received heavy to moderate rain.

"Yelburga in Koppal district received 130 mm rainfall, followed by 100 mm each in Bagalkote, Ballari district and Chitradurga districts, 90 mm at Sandur, 80 mm each at Kuknoor and Hospete, 70 mm at Chikkodi, Kamalapura and Siruguppa," said the official.

Incessant rain and gusty winds damaged the pulses crop in vast tracts of farmlands in the taluk of Kalaburagi district, while flash floods in several villages submerged roads and bridges, disrupting vehicular traffic.

"Overflowing streams have also damaged crops in agricultural fields, growing maize, jowar, groundnut and onions," the official added.

According to the forecast, heavy rain and thundershowers accompanied by strong winds will occur in many places across the coastal, interior and central parts of the state in the next 24-48 hours.

As squally weather with 40-50 kmph wind speed is likely to prevail along and off the western coast, the met office advised fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea on Sunday.

Since the onset of the monsoon in early June, the state has overall received 8 per cent excess rainfall -- 4,500 mm as against 4,120 mm normal rainfall, with 54 per cent more in the north interior region and 4 per cent in the south interior region but 8 per cent less than normal in the coastal region.