Dakshina Kannada receives more than 100mm rain in 24 hours

BENGALURU: Rain pounded Dakshina Kannada on Tuesday leaving a trail of destruction in many parts of the district. The severity was such that in all the taluks where rain fell, the quantity was in excess of 100mm in the 24-hours ending 8.30am on Tuesday. The rainfall averaged 131mm in the district.
The damage to property and infrastructure was extensive. A retaining house wall at Kotekani collapsed, as did a portion of a road under construction at Kabbalpadavu, Mudipu.In Vittal, a portion of a hillock came down at Kolnadu. Sea erosion has been severe in many parts on the coast and roads were damaged at Someshwara and Chitrapura, Kulai. A tree fell in Kandettu, Shakthinagar, damaging a compound wall and a compound wall collapsed on MG Road, Kodialbail.
There were widespread power outages across the district and in Mangaluru city. Mescom officials said rain and gusty winds had knocked down several electric poles. While Mescom restored power to many areas in the city, workers struggled to restore power elsewhere in the district, especially Puttur, Sullia and Bantwal taluks.
Low lying areas were kneedeep in water. With more rain forecast, there is a fear water may inundate houses in Kodialbail and Kodialguthu areas of the city. Some schools in Baikampady area were completely inundated. Motorists on Charmadi Ghat had a tough time as landslides on the third and 10th hairpin bend blocked traffic. Workers were busy clearing the debris until reports last came in.
The water level in Nethravathi river in Uppinangady stood at 28.5m, just a couple of metres shy of the danger level. On Monday, the water level was 21m. Water levels at power generation dams like AMR, Disha and Sara were full and water level in Thumbe was at 6.3m — just short of the maximum 7m.
On Tuesday, Puttur taluk received the highest rainfall at 143mm, while Mangaluru taluk received the least at 100mm. Belthangady and Sullia taluks got 139mm each and Bantwal taluk received 136mm of rainfall. The district administration has declared a holiday for anganwadis, schools and degree colleges on Wednesday in view of a red alert issued by the met department. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea for the next three days.
Relief fund
Udupi: District commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapatti has released Rs 10 lakh for each taluk in the district for tahsildars to provide compensation for deaths, loss of houses and cattle. “We have no shortage of fund to deal with emergency situation,” Korlapatti said. “An NDRF team is already in Surathkal and in case of emergency, they will be deployed here. MLAs are also in touch with tahsildars and are ready to take necessary measures.”