Karwar: Uttara Kannada district witnessed several major developments, celebrations, natural disasters and tragedies in the year 2019. Starting with the unexpected boat tragedy in January, the district made headlines by fetching the first rank in SSLC and being witness to the unusual annular solar eclipse.

On January 21, as many as 16 people died after a boat ferrying 26 devotees to the mainland from a temple in Koormagad island capsized off the Karwar coast. This was one of the biggest tragedies the district had ever witnessed.

While the election heat gained centre stage in March and April, various places in the district including Karwar saw the onset of monsoon on June 6. The issue of bringing the Malnad taluks of the district under Sharavathi LTM Wildlife Sanctuary made headlines.

Reasons to cheer

In May, the district had a reason to cheer as Naganjali Naik of Kagal in the district bagged first rank to the State in SSLC.

On July 30, MLA Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri became the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Fishermen situation

From July end, nine fishermen from Bhatkal were confined to their boat for more than two months after they strayed into Iranian waters while fishing off the Dubai coast. Luckily, they were later released. 

On August 1, the fishermen had to return to shore depressed as they had no good catch even on the first day after the annual ban on mechanised fishing was lifted.

Rain play

However, the rain intensified in August first week and all the rivers including Kali, Gangavali, Aghanashini and Sharavathi became aggressive. Such floods which hit the district were seen nearly after a century and it affected Ganesh Chaturthi festival also. As the water was continuously released from Kadra, Mallapur and surrounding villages were literally inundated. Several bridges, hanging bridges and footbridges damaged and this snapped link between the coastal taluks and the Malenad taluks. Landslides were also witnessed at Arbail ghat affecting traffic. Overall, the district incurred a loss of Rs 662 crore.

On October 24, the coast was once again battered by the Kyaar cyclone and this dampened the Deepavali festival spirit. 

Campaigns

On November 17, a mega convention against the expansion of Kaiga nuclear power plant was held at Mallapur. Several seers and religious leaders of all religions including Pejawar seer attended the convention and expressed ire against the Centre. On December 18, fishermen opposed the Karwar port expansion work under the Sagarmala project. 

In November, bringing Banavasi in Sirsi taluk under Sorab in Shivamogga district was opposed. However, the chief minister laid the issue to rest after rejecting any such proposal at a campaign meet in Banavasi.

Train after 20 years

On November 3, the Ambedwadi-Dharwad train was flagged off after a gap of 20 years. The price of onions rose and it began fetching a record price.

Dec news

In December first week, the by-elections for Yellapur Assembly Constituency held and Shivaram Hebbar, who had crossed over to BJP after being disqualified, once again won from the constituency.

On December 12, the Dalai Lama visited the Tibetan settlement camp in Mundgod taluk for 12 days.

On December 26, the rare annular solar eclipse witnessed in the coast of the district drew a lot of curious people from across the world.