Heavy rains lash Coastal Karnataka; disruptions in power and traffic reported

PTI, Nov 15, 2024, 10:51 AM IST

The coastal regions of Karnataka, including Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, experienced significant rainfall accompanied by thunder on Thursday evening, bringing relief from the day’s scorching heat but also causing disruptions.

In Dakshina Kannada, areas like Belthangady, Dharmasthala, Kadaba, Savanalu, and Mangalore received considerable rain. The day had seen high temperatures and partly cloudy skies, with Mangalore recording a maximum temperature of 34.9°C, 2.1°C above normal, and a minimum temperature of 25.4°C, an increase of 2.8°C above average. The weather department has forecast moderate rain over the next two days.

Udupi district, too, witnessed heavy rain with thunder and lightning by evening in areas such as Manipal, Kalyanpura, and Kinnimulky. Residents reported intense lightning and rainfall that started suddenly after a hot afternoon.

In Peraje, a tree fell across the Mani-Mysore National Highway near Kalbape, blocking the road for about an hour and a half. Fire department personnel, along with local police and residents, worked to remove the fallen tree. A vehicle from Tamil Nadu narrowly escaped the accident as the tree fell on it, with the driver fortunately unharmed. The incident also caused a traffic jam extending several kilometers.

Another tree fell on a truck near Mittur on the Mani-Mysore State Highway, blocking the entire road. Authorities worked overnight to clear the tree and restore traffic flow. Traffic was diverted, with vehicles from Puttur directed through Vittla and those from Mangalore rerouted through Mani.

The heavy rain and thunderstorm also caused power outages in parts of Udupi city and surrounding areas. Mescom officials reported disruptions in the rural feeders due to minor technical faults. While urban areas faced minimal issues, some rural areas experienced temporary interruptions. Mescom crews were dispatched to resolve the problems swiftly.

In Ajekaru and Hebri, heavy rain with thunder also impacted areas like Andaru, Shirlalu, and Katthala. Although the rain posed challenges for paddy harvesting, it provided a timely boost for winter crops, benefiting farmers in the region.