Dakshina Kannada district receives 135% rainfall till July 7

MANGALURU: Even as Dakshina Kannada district is receiving heavy downpour, with 234mm rains during 24 hours on July 6, the district administration is geared up and has warned officials of all departments to be alert.
Minister for urban development and housing U T Khader on Saturday chaired an emergency meet at the deputy commissioner’s office to review the situation. Additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Kumar said that the district has received above average rainfall as on July 7.“While the average normal rainfall of Dakshina Kannada for the period ending July 7 is 1451mm, the district has registered 1957mm of rainfall. The district has received 135% rainfall as on July 7 against 86% registered for the same period in 2017. The percentage of rainfall for May and June is 236. As per the forecasts, heavy rainfall with an average of 160mm/day may continue in the district till July11,” Kumar said.
While the maximum level of water in Nethravati River at Uppinangady is 31.5 meters (danger mark), the level was 25.3 meters on Friday and 27 meters on Saturday. The level may cross the danger mark if the rain continues to lash in the district. Increase in water level may flood Sahasralingeshwara Temple and several houses in
Uppinangady, he said adding that assistant commissioner, tahsildar and officials have been asked to monitor the situation and take necessary action.
Puttur assistant commissioner Krishnamurthy said temporary shelter has been arranged at a college in Uppinangady, where families can be shifted and all facilities will be provided for them.
The ADC said 10 persons died and 929 houses were damaged in the recent rain related calamities. “Compensation to the tune of Rs 5 lakh each has been distributed to kin of six victims and the process is on to compensate the remaining families. The district has a total of Rs 6.97 crore in its calamity relief fund,” he added.
A company of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with 30 members will arrive in Mangaluru on Sunday. Rescue boats, wood cutters and other equipment were sent to areas based on requirement. Department of fire and emergency, police, home guards and all other departments are well prepared to act swiftly, Kumar said.