Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall Cause Havoc in Dakshina Kannada
On Saturday evening, a powerful weather system unleashed intense rainfall accompanied by dramatic lightning and thunder across several parts of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka. The city of Mangaluru was among the areas severely impacted, with the sudden downpour leading to significant disruptions and damage.
Widespread Rainfall and Affected Regions
The heavy showers were not confined to Mangaluru alone. Multiple regions within the district experienced the brunt of the storm. Belthangady, Ujire, Dharmasthala, Mundaje, Aldangady, and Guruvayanakere all reported receiving intense rainfall during the evening hours. Additionally, heavy rain was recorded in Sullia and its surrounding areas, indicating a broad geographical spread of the weather event.
Infrastructure Damage and Power Outages
The storm brought with it strong, gusty winds that caused tangible damage to local infrastructure. In particular, electricity poles in Ujire and Belthangady were damaged by the forceful winds. This damage directly resulted in power outages affecting several areas, plunging residents into darkness and disrupting daily activities and essential services.
Transportation Disruptions and Waterlogging
The heavy rainfall led to immediate challenges on the roads, causing significant inconvenience for commuters and motorists. In Mangaluru city, waterlogging on the Thokkottu flyover created hazardous driving conditions and slowed traffic to a crawl. Similarly, on the highway at Kallapu, large puddles formed, further impeding vehicular movement and causing delays during the evening rush.
The combination of thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rain underscores the unpredictable nature of the monsoon season in the region. Local authorities are likely assessing the damage and working to restore normalcy, including power supply and clearing waterlogged areas to ease traffic congestion.
