Bhatkal: Since Sunday morning, the heavy rain has lashed Bhatkal, but this time not only the normal life was affected but also the water rushed into many houses crippling it in the town.

The national highway near Shamsuddin circle and Ranginkatte in the town was completely immersed with the rainwater, highly creating congestion for traffic movement. However, the water on the highway got cleared after the rain stopped by evening around 5 PM. Nevertheless, people on Sagar road and Bunder road are still facing ups and downs to move on the road due to clogged rainwater.

The areas including Salmanabad, Azad Nagar, Ranginkatte, Raghvendra mutt and Bunder road 2nd cross have witnessed losses as the water rushed into many houses causing loss of more than lakhs of rupees. Traffic movement on these areas has become a risky task for motorists. 

The water also entered into electric goods godown belonging to Santosh Acharya in Bunder road 2nd cross, causing loss of thousands of rupees. Also a wall collapse at a house belonging to Imtiyaz Shingeri was reported in Safa street in Magdoom colony Bhatkal.

According to locals, the water flow direction from Ranginkatte highway have been diverted to Salmanabad, Azad Nagar and adjoining areas, as a result, these areas have lost their shape making themselves look like a pond. The locals urged the Municipal authorities to change the direction of water flow and facilitate it in such a way that the water flows to rivers from Ranginkatte.

On studying the problems faced by the people, the Municipal authorities along wit Jaali patten panchayat officers took swift action and started clearing the clogged water. 

It shall be noted that today's rain was the highest recorded rainfall in the region in the current year's monsoon season till the date.