Mangaluru: Several parts of coastal Karnataka, including Dakshina Kannada (DK), Udupi, and Chikkamagaluru districts, experienced heavy rainfall since the early hours of Tuesday, causing significant disruption to daily life and traffic movement.
In Dakshina Kannada, the downpour, which began late Monday night, continued relentlessly into Tuesday. Heavy rains were reported in Bantwal, Belthangady, Puttur, Sullia, Mulki, and Moodbidri taluks. In Mangaluru city, a large tree fell inside Kadri Park, temporarily affecting vehicular movement in the area. Rainfall intensity reduced slightly by Tuesday afternoon.
In Udupi district, widespread and intense rainfall continued until midday Tuesday, resulting in waterlogging on several roads, including in Udupi city, which hampered the smooth movement of vehicles.
Near Manipal, heavy early morning rain triggered soil and stones to flow onto the national highway near Inox, disrupting traffic for a while. Rainwater also entered nearby shops and houses. Vehicles were forced to use alternate routes as a result.
Strong winds accompanied the rain, especially in Lakshmindra nagar area of Manipal, where trees and electric poles were uprooted. Heavy rains were also reported in Karkala, Kundapur, Byndoor, and Hebri taluks. In Brahmavar, strong winds caused trees to fall in many places, blocking roads and damaging houses.
The District Disaster Management Authority has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea and instructed boats already at sea to return to the shore immediately.
In Chikkamagaluru district, torrential rains since Monday midnight disrupted normal life. Places like Kuduremukh, Kalasa, Sringeri, Koppa, Kottigehara, Mudigere, N.R. Pura, Chikkamagaluru city, Mullayanagiri, Kemmannugundi, and Kadur witnessed relentless rainfall.
A major incident occurred near Sunkasale in Mudigere taluk, where a tree fell on a private bus, a mini-bus, and a two-wheeler. The biker was seriously injured, and the front portion of the bus sustained damage. Traffic on the Kottigehara–Kalasa state highway was halted for over an hour due to the fallen tree.