Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalur/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Dec 4: A sudden spell of heavy rain accompanied by thunder, lightning and strong winds lashed Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on December 3 evening, bringing relief from humidity but causing disruption in several areas.
According to the India Meteorological Department, a low-pressure area formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal near the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast on December 3 due to a drop in air pressure. The system moved northwest and is expected to weaken over the next 24 hours. Under its influence, coastal Karnataka witnessed widespread rainfall on Wednesday and a rain alert has also been issued for December 4.
In Dakshina Kannada, rain began around 5 pm and was reported from Bantwal, Beltangady, Kadirudyavara, Mangaluru, Puttur, Nintikallu, Badagannur, Balnad, Uppinangady, Kadaba, Sullia, Subrahmanya, Vittal and Manila. Thunder, lightning and gusty winds accompanied the showers.
Sullia taluk experienced intense rain and strong winds in the afternoon. Lightning struck an Acacia tree behind the taluk office, splitting it and alarming staff members; one employee reportedly felt unwell due to the intensity but later recovered. A brief fire flare-up was also noticed at the spot.
Heavy rain led to waterlogging on the Mani–Mysuru highway near Jalsoor, where runoff from clogged drains turned a stretch of the road into a stream-like flow, disrupting traffic. Several parts of Sullia, including Sampaje, Aranthodu, Jalsoor, Mandekolu, Bellare, Nintikallu, Panja, Guthigar and Kollamogru, also received steady rainfall.
In Udupi district, rain which had shown no signs throughout the day began suddenly in the evening, continuing for nearly an hour. Udupi city, Manipal, Malpe, Katapady, Kapu, Karkala, Hebri, Brahmavar, Kundapur and Siddapura received moderate to heavy showers.
Karkala and surrounding villages experienced a sharp downpour in the afternoon, prompting temporary power cuts in town and rural areas. In parts of Siddapura, the evening rain caused inconvenience to farmers as dried arecanut kept for storage became wet.
Widespread showers are expected to continue in coastal Karnataka on Thursday as per the weather department’s forecast.