Heavy rains disrupt normal life in coastal Karnataka districts

MANGALURU /UDUPI/SIRSI: Heavy to very heavy and incessant rains over the past few days have disrupted normal life in the coastal and Western Ghats districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada, according to officials.
Due to excessive rain multiple low-lying areas in Dakshina Kannada, including Udupi experienced flooding.
On Monday, 313 people sought shelter in eight care centers in Honnavar Taluk armed with basic facilities.Though Mangaluru city did not see flooding, inundation affected lower parts of Bantwal town near the riverfront.
Officials at the Karnataka State Natural Disasters Monitoring Centre (KSNMDC) stated they are closely monitoring the affected areas, with a rescue team on standby. Uttara Kannada district experienced heavy rains prompting the release of 10,600 cusecs of water from the Kadra reservoir of the Kali river on Monday as water levels crossed the danger threshold.
In comparison, 6,000 cusecs of water had been released from the reservoir on Saturday which impacted downstream villages such as Kadra, Mallapur, Kerodi, Baira Balani, Karga, Ulag and Halaga. Torrential rains struck areas in Uttara Kannada, including Sirsi, Siddapur, Yellapur and parts of Malnad (ghats) area, resulting in flooding in houses in the Kadatoka area of Honnavar taluk.
“A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had to be deployed to rescue villagers,” officials said.
Houses in various parts of Udupi were invaded by rainwater, prompting firefighters to rescue people using rubber dinghies. The worst-affected areas included Kalsanka, Bailakere, Mathadabettu, Gundibail, Padigaru, and Sagri where women, children and elderly persons were ferried to safety.
Colonel Hill in Honnavar known for its British era column monument experienced partial collapse along National Highway 66 due to intense rainfall.
An orange alert indicating very heavy rainfall of 11 cm to 20 cm has been issued by the administrations of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts until July 11 following predictions by the Met Department.
Authorities in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada declared a holiday for schools and PU colleges on Monday, extending the closure in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi to Tuesday as well.
Uttara Kannada district Collector K Lakshmipriya remarked on the situation, emphasizing the heavy rain and the measures in place, “There was heavy rain in the coastal parts of the district on Monday and 313 people had taken shelter in eight care centers opened in Honnavar Taluk and they were provided with basic facilities.”
Uttara Kannada MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri visited areas affected by the flooding in Shashihital, Gunda village, Bhaskeri of Kumta constituency, and care centers in Honnavar Taluk.
Karwar MLA Satish Sail participated in local traditions, offering 'bagina' – an offering to rivers in spate – to the Kadra reservoir on Monday.
The continuing adverse weather has left many residents of these coastal and Western Ghats regions grappling with the aftermath of the floods and bracing for further rainfall as forecasted. Both emergency response and local administrations remain on high alert, with rescue operations ongoing and more precautions being taken to ensure safety and provide relief to those affected.