Coastal Karnataka on red alert as heavy rains wreak havoc, holiday for schools and colleges

Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi were among the worst affected districts. Four deaths were reported in Udupi in the past week. Besides providing relief materials, the district administration was working to shift stranded individuals to safety.

In Uttara Kannada, eight relief centres have been opened in Honnavara taluka, accommodating 313 people. They were being provided food and other necessities.

In the wake of heavy rain, the administration issued an advisory calling for wider restraint on public movement and sea coast-side activities, including fishing or visiting beaches.

According to the advisory, the district administration has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea for fishing.

Due to heavy rainfall, members of the public were asked to stay away from rivers and streams.

Related: Dakshina Kannada administration bans trekking, water activities

Red alert till weekend

The IMD has issued a red alert for the coastal and Western Ghats regions of Karnataka till the weekend. A red alert means “take action.”

“IMD has given Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, and Udupi districts red alert. The region is expected to receive heavy rains coupled with thunderstorms and gusty winds,” according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).

“Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts have been issued red alert. Bagalkote, Bidar, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Hassan have been issued yellow alerts,” it added.

“The state has received 59 percent excess rain, reporting 13.8mm in the last 24 hours. The coastal region has recorded 129 percent excess rain, with 81.6mm showers,” the KSNDMC said.

The Malnad region reported 18 percent excess rain and recorded 22.7mm rainfall. The South has recorded 22 percent excess rain, whereas the North region reported normal showers with 4.1mm of rain.

Also Read: Karnataka records 134% excess rain

Orange alert for Dakshina Kannada

In Udupi, the heavy rains inundated several areas at Bailkeri, Gundibailu, Padigaru, and other localities in Udupi taluka. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to rescue stranded individuals from their homes and relocate them to safer areas.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Dakshina Kannada until July 12, indicating a continued risk of heavy rainfall in the region. The situation is being closely monitored, and rescue efforts were ongoing to ensure the safety of those affected by the flooding.

Several houses flooded

In one week, as many as four people have lost their lives due to heavy showers in Udupi district.

As the monsoon has picked up in the coastal region, the Udupi district administration has identified vulnerable areas. The administration has also set up 116 relief centres.

In Udupi City, four families were rescued from their flooded houses. At the request of these families, the district administration accommodated them at Sri Krishna Mutt.

“Several houses inundated due to heavy rains in Udupi. The SDRF & NDRF have been pressed into action & rescued four families. I have also declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday,” Deputy Commissioner K Vidyakumari told South First.

“We have also identified 86 vulnerable villages, which are prone to flooding and landslides. In every village, we have set up task forces to tackle monsoon-related issues,” she further said.

“We had no casualties in the past two days. However, four people have lost their lives due to rains last week. Three died due to lightning strikes while one was killed in a landslide,” she said.

(Edited by Majnu Babu)

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