Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, May 25: Heavy thunder, lightning, and strong winds accompanied by a massive downpour lashed across the district in the last couple of days, resulting in extensive damage to houses in various parts of the region. A section of the road at Goliholo on the Byndoor-Kollur national highway was washed away, temporarily severing connectivity.
The district recorded an average rainfall of 35.5 mm. Taluk-wise rainfall included Karkala (2.2 mm), Kundapur (53.8 mm), Udupi (62.0 mm), Byndoor (74.8 mm), Brahmavar (25 mm), Kaup (9.6 mm), and Hebri (21.2 mm).
Following the road washout at Goliholo, swift remedial measures were undertaken, and vehicular movement has now been restored. Shivamogga member of parliament B Y Raghavendra, upon receiving information about the severity of the situation, maintained constant communication with local representatives, highway engineers, and administrators to ensure the immediate execution of repair works.
In Kundapur and surrounding taluks, heavy gales in the early hours of the morning uprooted several trees and damaged electricity poles. This led to prolonged power outages in multiple villages until Sunday evening. Damage to mobile network towers was also reported.
Several houses suffered structural damage across the district. In Kotathattu village of Brahmavar taluk, the cement and tiled roof of a house belonging to Ratna was damaged, causing an estimated loss of Rs 30,000. In Halanadu village of Kundapur taluk, a tree crashed onto the roof of Jalaja Kulalti's house, resulting in a loss of Rs 10,000. In Shivalli village of Udupi taluk, a tree fell on Meenakshi's house, causing extensive damage estimated at Rs 25,000.
A lightning strike damaged the roof and walls of Girija Kulalti's house in Kavradi village of Kundapur taluk, incurring a loss of Rs 10,000. In Alevoor village, a mudslide partially damaged Chennamma's house, resulting in a loss of Rs 20,000. In Jadkal village of Byndoor taluk, an arecanut tree fell onto Sadashiva Shetty's cowshed, causing a loss of Rs 10,000.
Meanwhile, in Udupi city limits, a tree collapsed onto a house near Ramachandra Lane in Kinnimulki, snapping a nearby electric pole in the process. Another incident of a tree falling on a house due to the severe winds and rain was reported from Hoode in Tonse village.