Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 10: Karnataka coast, which has been reeling under the threat of being hit by cyclonic storm, 'Ashobaa', was enveloped in cloudy weather with heavy rainfall on Tuesday June 9.

Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim, has said that the concerned departments have been told to take all precautionary measures in view of the cyclone warning. 'Officials have been asked to immediately respond to crisis calls, and be prepared to arrange for rainwater to flow, and to deploy boats in low-lying areas for handling emergencies,' he explained.

The meteorological department has asked fishermen to stay away from sea for the next two days. Deputy director in fisheries department, M D Prasad, said that mechanized boats have already been moored on the shore as deep sea fishing has been banned during this period.

The meteorological department has asked the airport to take all precautions in view of the possible cyclonic storm hit. The airports authority has been asked to convey information about wind and rain to the central office of Airports Auahtoirty of India at New Delhi every three years, informed director of the local airport, J T Radhakrishna, adding that no abnormal changes have been witnessed so far.

On Monday evening, a flight from Dubai had to be diverted to Kozhikode. It came back at 8.30 pm and landed here, he informed.

A tree which fell across the road at Mannagudda in the city created problems for movement of vehicles till it was cut into pieces and shifted. The city experienced stagnation of water in some places where water could not freely flow, and necessary steps were taken to clear the water. A house belonging to Sadhu Balegarthi at Katbelthoor near Hemmady in Kundapur taluk crashed to the ground. Loss in this case has been estimated at two lac rupees.