Cyclone Fengal: Torrential rains lash coastal K’taka; Widespread damage reported

As a precautionary measure, Anganwadis, schools, and PU colleges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts were declared closed on Tuesday.

Several low-lying areas in Mangaluru city witnessed waterlogging, with water entering houses and shops. Compound walls collapsed, adding to residents’ woes.

Artificial flooding was reported in areas like TMA Pai Hall’s backyard, Bhagavathi Nagar Road, Kodialguttu Road, Kottara, Kottara Chowki, and Malemar. Houses in Bijai, Kottara Chowki, Karangalapadi, and Jappu were also affected. The retaining wall of a stormwater drain in Kodialguttu gave way.

Landslides disrupted connectivity between Bajpe and Adyapady. In Bantwal taluk’s Arala village, a house suffered damage. On Monday night, gusty winds swept away boats and fishing equipment anchored safely at Mangaluru port. On Kuloor Highway, water filled a pit dug for a gas line, posing a hazard.

The Meteorological Department has predicted rainfall for the next two days, and authorities have issued a high alert along the coast.

In Aranthodu, strong winds and rains damaged the auto stand at Peraje Junction, forcing rickshaws to park along the roadside.

Mangaluru International Airport recorded 156 mm of rain in the last 24 hours.

Severe Damage from Gusty Winds

In Moodbidri, heavy winds uprooted a massive tree onto the house of Leela Shetty in Ramamohan Nagar Colony, causing extensive damage. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Locals promptly helped remove the tree. In Kadandale village, lightning struck a coconut tree near Honnamma Gowdti’s house, damaging the structure and electrical appliances.

In Bantwal taluk’s Arala village, a wall of Radha’s house at Kandadabettu collapsed due to heavy rains on Monday. The tiled roof and stone-brick walls of the house were damaged, but no injuries were reported.

Crop Loss Across Karnataka

Bengaluru/Hubballi: Cyclone Fengal has led to torrential rains across the state, causing severe crop damage. Paddy and ragi fields ready for or undergoing harvest have been inundated, resulting in heavy losses for farmers.

Ragi crops have suffered extensively as soaked grains become heavier, causing stalks to collapse in fields. Continuous rains have prevented harvesting machines from entering fields, forcing some farmers to employ manual labor for harvesting. If the rain persists, even fodder for livestock might become scarce. In districts like Chitradurga, Koppal, and Dharwad, crops such as sorghum, wheat, chickpeas, and sunflower have been ruined. Paddy crops in Ballari have also been affected.

 In Sakleshpur taluk, only 10-15% of paddy harvesting has been completed, with harvested grains soaked in rainwater. Untimely rains have also created distress among coffee growers. The harvest of Arabica coffee has been hampered, and drying harvested coffee has become a challenge. Robusta coffee fruits remain partially ripened.

In Kolar, incessant rains have damaged tomato crops over 5,000 hectares, along with potato, capsicum, and chili crops. Excess moisture has increased fungal infections, whitefly infestations, and crop blight, adding to farmers’ woes.