Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, May 15: After enduring scorching heat and intense humidity, residents of the coastal region breathed a sigh of relief as sudden pre-monsoon showers accompanied by thunderstorms lashed the area on Thursday evening. However, a mere 20 minutes of torrential rain in Mangaluru city turned major roads into virtual lakes, throwing vehicular traffic completely out of gear.
Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning was also reported in Moodbidri, Beltangady, Kadaba, Udupi, Padubidri, and Kundapur. In Udupi city, an overcast sky persisted throughout the day before it started pouring at 5:45 pm. Though the heavy downpour ceased after half an hour, a persistent drizzle continued.
Traffic snarls and waterlogging
Rainwater failed to drain properly on the national highway stretches at Pumpwell, Kulur, and Kottara Chowki, resulting in two to three feet of standing water. The underpass at the Pumpwell flyover witnessed its notorious artificial flooding once again, forcing two-wheeler riders to navigate the stretch with great fear. Water accumulation on the Kulur highway led to kilometre-long traffic jams, completely paralyzing vehicular movement.
Roads around Lalbagh, Bejai, and the KSRTC bus stand resembled flowing streams. The ongoing road excavation works in various parts of the city further compounded the issue, leading to severe traffic congestion during the evening peak hours.
City unprepared for monsoon
Despite indications of the southwest monsoon arriving by the first week of June, Thursday's rainfall exposed the Mangaluru City Corporation's sheer failure in pre-monsoon preparedness. The desilting of major storm water drains (Raja Kaluves) remains incomplete in several parts of the city. With drains choked with garbage, rainwater overflowed onto the roads and gushed into roadside shops, causing damage to commercial goods.
Two women injured, widespread damage
A woman identified as Jaya Salian suffered a head injury after being struck by lightning in Mundkur village of Karkala taluk. She has been admitted to a hospital in Mangaluru for treatment. In Valpadi village of Moodbidri taluk, a woman was injured when a huge tree crashed onto her house due to the fierce winds. Another house belonging to Raju in the same village was also damaged, and several electric poles were uprooted.
Extensive damage to agricultural and horticultural crops was reported across the region. In Udupi district, 12 houses in Karkala taluk, five in Udupi taluk, and one each in Kaup and Hebri taluks suffered partial damage. Additionally, horticultural crops belonging to three families in Hebri taluk were destroyed by the intense rain.