Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 31: Continuous heavy rains across Dakshina Kannada district have led to a significant rise in the water level of the Nethravathi River, prompting precautionary evacuations in low-lying areas of Bantwal taluk, officials said on Saturday.
The danger level of the Nethravathi River is marked at 8.5 metres, and as of this morning, the water was flowing at 7.6 metres, with the level continuing to rise.
Near the Sri Thirumala Venkataramana Temple in Bantwal, the river water level has increased considerably. In the 24th ward of the Panemangalore Municipality, at Aladkapadpu locality, water has entered residential homes. As a result, families residing in these affected homes have been relocated to safer areas.
Revenue department officials, ward member Siddiq Guddayangadi, and local volunteers assisted the affected families in moving to safe zones.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have warned that if rains continue and the river level keeps rising, more areas may face inundation. They also mentioned that the release of water from nearby dams has contributed to the increasing level of the Nethravathi River.
In a related development, health minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao announced on Saturday that families of those who lost their lives in recent rain-related incidents in the coastal region will receive Rs 5 lac compensation each.
Addressing a press conference after visiting the rain-affected areas, the minister stated that seven people had died due to incidents such as landslides, house collapses, and other rain-related accidents.
Over the past week, the coastal districts have witnessed widespread damage due to heavy rain. Rivers are overflowing, homes have been submerged, trees have fallen, and public infrastructure has been damaged. Several families have been relocated from flood-prone and submerged localities.
Speaking on the communal tension in the district, minister Gundu Rao added: “I am here as a representative of the Karnataka government. We do not differentiate between communities. Our only goal is to prevent the escalation of communal issues in Dakshina Kannada.”
Officials remain on high alert and are coordinating with local authorities to manage the impact of the ongoing rain. With weather conditions still unstable, further rise in river levels and additional precautionary measures are expected in the coming days.