Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Jul 28: Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed various parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on Sunday, resulting in two deaths and causing widespread property damage.
In Sullia taluk, Rukmini (62) of Chatrapady in Nalkur village died after a tree branch fell on her while she was working near her house. She had returned home only the previous day. She is survived by two daughters and a son.
In a separate incident in Hejamady, Udupi district, Jayanti M Kanchan (87), a resident of Palimaru Padu, died after slipping in her yard.
The Kumaradhara bathing ghat in Subrahmanya has remained submerged for three days. Due to heavy rainfall in the ghats, the Nethravathi river is in spate, flooding low-lying areas and areca plantations in Sarapady and Maninalkuru villages. In Puttur taluk, a tree fell on the Patemajalu road, disrupting vehicular traffic.
In Kallugundi’s Nellikumeri KFDC colony, an electric pole collapsed on the house of Dinesh, damaging the roof and walls. A large tree that fell on the Maani-Mysuru highway near Beejadakatte in Gunadka caused a brief traffic disruption before it was cleared.
In Sampaje, an areca tree fell on the roof of Sheelavati’s house. At Amemane in Nalkur, Sudhir’s house was damaged when a tree fell on it, injuring Kushalappa on the face. Others in the house escaped unhurt.
Dakshina Kannada has seen at least seven rain-related holidays so far, and various parts of Udupi district, including Byndoor, have declared up to eight. Many schools have been instructed to compensate for lost classes by holding full-day sessions on Saturdays.
There have been widespread power outages across rural areas of Dakshina Kannada due to fallen electric poles and damaged lines, with several locations experiencing disruption for two consecutive days.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for coastal Karnataka on July 28 and 29, warning of continued heavy rain and urging residents to remain cautious.