Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Jun 15: Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds lashed Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts throughout the weekend, causing damage to several houses, uprooting trees, and leading to severe waterlogging in low-lying areas.
In Dakshina Kannada, continuous downpours were reported from Sunday morning until afternoon, after which the rain gradually subsided. The district reported partial damage to three houses due to the heavy rainfall.
In Mangaluru, continuous rain led to waterlogging in low-lying areas, including the Padil underpass and Jeppinamogaru, causing significant inconvenience to the public. Strong winds uprooted tree branches in several areas, disrupting power supply. A massive tree branch fell onto the road in the Sultan Battery area, halting vehicular movement for some time.
Between Saturday and Sunday morning, Dakshina Kannada recorded an average rainfall of 14.8 mm. Mangaluru received the highest at 18.6 mm, followed by Puttur (14.9 mm), Sullia (12.6 mm), Moodbidri (11.5 mm), Beltangady (10.6 mm), Bantwal (9.3 mm), and Kadaba (8.1 mm).
Udupi district experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms from Saturday night through Sunday evening. Over the 24-hour period, the district recorded an average rainfall of 32.9 mm, with Kaup receiving the highest at 57.8 mm. Other areas recorded significant rainfall: Udupi (53.2 mm), Byndoor (38.9 mm), Brahmavar (36.6 mm), Kundapur (36.1 mm), Hebri (18.6 mm), and Karkala (14.3 mm).
Kundapur and Byndoor taluks faced the brunt of fierce winds by Sunday afternoon. Several trees were uprooted, crashing onto houses and causing substantial financial losses. In Basrur village of Kundapur, trees fell on the houses of Sundara Kharvi and Surendra Kini, causing damages estimated at Rs 25,000 each. A tree fall caused a loss of Rs 30,000 to Sumana's house in Koni village. Extensive damages were also reported to the houses of Seethu on JM Road in Basrur (Rs 30,000), Abdul Samad (Rs 40,000), and Jayalakshmi (Rs 80,000).
The heavy rains also exposed poor civic infrastructure across Udupi, with uncleared drains causing artificial flooding on national and state highways, major district roads, and rural paths. Rainwater stagnated on roads instead of flowing into drains, splashing onto passing vehicles and turning mud roads into slushy quagmires.
Severe waterlogging was reported near the Tallur bus stand on the Kundapur-Byndoor highway, heavily disrupting traffic and causing distress to commuters. Similar stagnation was observed on the service road near Surgeon Hospital, on the highway near the Ankadakatte school, and near the TT Road underpass and its adjacent service road. Locals have strongly urged the authorities to clear the drains and implement immediate permanent solutions to the waterlogging issues.