Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 19: The twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are under a spell of intensive rains over the last two to three days. The incessant rains have aggravated the problem of sea erosion and resulted in the inundation of several houses besides causing fallen trees, blocked roads and snapped electric supply.

After the banks of a tank used for irrigation purposes located in Belmar in Aroor village of Udupi district gave way under immense pressure, water started gushing out, and entered the houses of about ten people there. As the affected people have nowhere to go at night, the district administration arranged to shift them and their cattle to Belmar school premises, and to open a gruel centre there. The officials faced problems in conducting relief operations, as the power supply got snapped almost all over the district and mobile phone connectivity was also disrupted, giving rise to apprehension about managing the situation at night.

Udupi tahsildar, V Prasanna, revenue inspector, Raghav Shettigar, police officials, fire brigade personnel etc., rushed to the spot and took steps to manage the situation.

Subrahmanya in Sullia taluk experienced heavy rains. A huge banyan tree that fell to the ground in this village, blocked traffic on the road and inflicted damage on a hotel near Biladwara there. People escaped from injuries, as they fled, after hearing cracking sound from the tree.

The rain recorded across the coast on Sunday July 18 ranged from five to six cms. The meteorological department has predicted normal rains in coast and some places in hinterlands.