Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Jun 6: The southwest monsoon, which entered the coastal region of Karnataka on Thursday, intensified on Friday, bringing heavy rainfall across Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts and inundating several low-lying areas.
In Mangaluru city, continuous rain from the early hours of the morning led to waterlogging in several areas, including Kottara Chowki, Malemar, Anegundi, Dr B R Ambedkar Road, Bunts Hostel, Kapikad, Gurupura and Kaikamba. Water accumulated on roads in these low-lying areas, causing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.
Near Moodbidri, a portion of the service road along National Highway 169 at Mijaru was washed away during the season’s first major rain. The damage has been attributed to unscientific and substandard construction work. A small culvert had reportedly been constructed at a location where a larger one was required to accommodate heavy rainwater flow. As a result, rainwater could not drain properly, washing away soil and gravel beneath the road and causing its collapse. In another incident, an asphalt road caved in at Korantibettu near Mulki.
A landslide was reported at Badaje in Beltangady taluk.
Good rainfall was recorded across Puttur, Uppinangady, Ishwaramangala, Kumbra, Panaje, Kodimbadi, Kabaka, Bantwal, Ira, B C Road, Parangipete, Sullia, Subrahmanya, Kadaba, Belthangady, Ujire, Dharmasthala, Venur, Ilanthila, Charmadi, Kokkada, Nelyadi, Madanthyaru, Vitla, Kanyana, Surathkal, Moodbidri, Mulki and Ullal, besides several other parts of Dakshina Kannada district. Many areas of Kasaragod district also experienced heavy rainfall.
A 30-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Bengaluru has arrived in Puttur for rescue and emergency operations during the monsoon season. The team will focus on flood-related disasters, drowning incidents, building collapses, chemical disasters and radiation emergencies.
Puttur taluk received widespread rainfall on Friday. Rain began in the morning and continued until afternoon. Though the intensity reduced later in the day, rainfall persisted intermittently.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts from June 6 to June 9. Heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm, accompanied by thunder and lightning, is likely during this period.
Winds are expected to blow at speeds of 40 to 60 kmph along the Karnataka coast. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until June 9.
Heavy rain lashed Hebri and Karkala taluks from Friday morning until afternoon. Rainwater flowed onto sections of highways and roads in towns, disrupting movement of people and traffic in some areas. Although the intensity reduced after noon, intermittent showers continued until night.
Rain was reported from Karkala town, Bajagoli, Andaru, Kabbinale, Muniyalu, Mudradi, Hiriyadka, Sanur, Miyaru, Eedu, Hosmaru, Mala and Kervashe areas.
During the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Friday, Karkala recorded 20.9 mm and Hebri 15.4 mm of average rainfall.
Good rainfall accompanied by thunder, lightning and gusty winds was recorded across Udupi district from Friday morning. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert until Saturday morning.
Udupi city, Manipal, Parkala, Aatradi, Hiriyadka, Alevoor, Kukkikatte, Kapu, Hebri, Karkala, Brahmavar, Kundapur and all parts of Byndoor taluk received substantial rainfall.
Cloudy conditions prevailed during the afternoon, with rain continuing in several areas. Poor drainage resulted in rainwater flowing onto roads at some locations, disrupting vehicular and pedestrian movement. Power interruptions were also reported due to thunder and lightning.
According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours was: Kaup – 34.7 mm, Byndoor – 28.7 mm, Kundapur – 21.3 mm, Karkala – 20.9 mm, Brahmavar – 19.6 mm, Hebri – 15.4 mm and Udupi – 9.3 mm.