Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP) 

Mangaluru, Aug 10: After remaining subdued for two days since Nagara Panchami festival, the rain returned with renewed vigour to haunt the people of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts apart from the areas located at the foot of the Western Ghats. 

Beltangady and Bantwal taluks in Dakshina Kannada district bore the brunt of the rain fury. Hundreds of people were shifted to safe places. Kumaradhara and Netravati rivers are flowing above the danger mark. The confluence of these two rivers happened at around 7 pm on Saturday at Uppinangady, an occasion treated as holy by the people. Schools and colleges in both the districts will remain closed on the fourth successive day, Saturday. 

Landslides happened in various places in Kodagu district. Seven persons died in landslides at Korangala and Thora in the district. Bhagamandala - Talakaveri road connection has been severed. 

Even though Udupi district experienced equally heavy rain, no considerable losses were reported. Some people trolled the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district on social websites for granting a number of rain-related holidays. Several people came in support of the deputy commissioner, pointing out that small children had been washed away by flood water in the past. 

During the day ending 8.30 am on Friday, Bhagamandala received 40 cm rainfall, which was the highest in the state. Dharmasthala received nine cm of rainfall while Beltangady got 12 cm. Virajpet and Ponnampet in Kodagu got 27 cm of rainfall with Mudigere clocking 22 cm.