Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi/Mangaluru

Udupi/Mangaluru, Apr 16: Sudden heavy rain and strong winds on Monday evening caused widespread damage across the coastal region, with Udupi district alone reporting losses amounting to nearly Rs 69 lac. According to the district administration, two houses were completely destroyed and 26 others partially damaged, leading to an estimated loss of Rs 15.76 lac. Additionally, Mescom suffered losses of around Rs 53 lac, and crop damage worth Rs 15,000 was reported.

Karkala received 14.3 mm rain, Udupi 4.6 mm, Byndoor 0.9 mm, Kaup and Brahmavar 6.8 mm each, Hebri 12.8 mm, and Kundapur received 1.7 mm rain.

In Udupi taluk, two houses were completely damaged, with each loss estimated at Rs 5 lac. Nine houses suffered partial damage—seven of them with losses of Rs 15,000 each, one at Rs 45,000, and another at Rs 10,000.

Kundapur taluk recorded partial damage to six houses—five with losses of Rs 10,000 each, and one with Rs 15,000. In Kaup taluk, five houses were partially damaged; one incurred a loss of Rs 1 lac, two at Rs 30,000 each, one at Rs 35,000, and another at Rs 25,000. Brahmavar taluk reported damage to one house estimated at Rs 25,000, while in Byndoor, a house wall collapsed, damaging electrical appliances, with an estimated loss of Rs 8,000.

In Karkala taluk, four houses were partially damaged—one suffered a loss of Rs 48,000, another Rs 30,000, one at Rs 10,000, and another at Rs 5,000. Additionally, crop damage worth Rs 15,000 was reported at a farm in Hosangadi village of Kundapur taluk. This information was released by the Udupi deputy commissioner’s office.

The storm caused extensive damage to Mescom infrastructure as large trees and branches fell in many areas. A total of 326 electric poles in the Udupi Mescom division were uprooted, and around 4.26 km of power lines were severed. Repair and restoration work is underway, informed senior official Dinesh Upadhya.

Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds lashed the rural parts of Dakshina Kannada (DK) district on Monday, causing significant damage. Mescom reported losses of around Rs 35 lac due to the downpour.

In Sullia, two houses were hit by falling trees, leading to damages worth lacs of rupees. So far, two houses have been completely destroyed and 55 houses partially damaged in the district. Hundreds of arecanut trees were uprooted in various areas of Beltangady, Sullia, and Kadaba taluks. However, the full assessment of losses is still awaited.

Maximum damage has been reported from areas like Sullia, Moodbidri, and Venur in Beltangady taluk. The rain brought down trees and electricity poles, causing widespread disruption.

A total of 266 electric poles and one transformer were damaged across the district. The breakdown includes: Mangaluru – 21 poles, Moodbidri – 82, Puttur – 6, Sullia – 93 poles and 1 transformer, Kadaba – 13 poles, Bantwal – 6 poles, and Beltangady – 45 poles. About 13.3 km of electric wires were also damaged.

Since the beginning of April, rains have damaged a total of 1,035 electric poles and 12 transformers in the district. According to Mescom officials, the losses have crossed Rs 1.5 crore.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'Yellow Alert' for April 16 and 17 across the coastal region, anticipating intensified pre-monsoon showers. Thunderstorms accompanied by moderate to heavy rain are likely in both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

On Tuesday, Mangaluru and surrounding regions experienced a hot and humid atmosphere with intermittent clouds. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 34.1°C—0.2°C below average—and a minimum temperature of 22.7°C, which is 2.1°C lower than normal.