Landslides, inundation, uprooted trees seen in city as result of incessant rains

Mangaluru: The incessant rains that lashed the city from Monday night to Tuesday morning resulted in landslides, compound wall collapse, uprooting of trees and inundation of the low-lying areas here. However, no casualties have been reported so far.

A retaining wall on the Kotekani road collapsed and traffic was disrupted for about an hour. Many low-lying areas like Kottara, Ekkur and Jeppinamogaru were inundated due to the heavy rains. In another incident, a huge tree branch fell on the house of Gowri in Urwa Pellspete, which completely damaged the building.  Landslides occurred along the Kambalapadavu-Mudipu road and Kolnadu in Vittal.

Following the heavy rains in the catchment area of the Netravathi river, the water level in the Thumbe vented dam has also risen to a height of 7 mtrs. Rising water levels and rough seas have also caused sea-erosion in Someshwara and the nearby areas.

In the Charmadi ghats, a huge tree was uprooted, causing a disruption of traffic.

Schools and Anganwadi centres remained closed on Tuesday in the Puttur, Kadaba, Beltangady, Sullia and Bantwal taluks as their Tahasildars announced a holiday owing to the heavy rains. Schools in the Mangaluru taluk, however, remained open.

Waves as high waves as 3.1 to 3.7 meters have been forecasted till 11.30 PM on Wednesday, August 7. The surface current speeds vary between 31-49  cm/sec. Strong winds from the south-westerly direction at speeds reaching 40-50 km/ph are likely to hit the Karnataka coast. Hence, fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the sea. Tourists also advised against thronging to beaches. 

All Indian Coast Guard ship on patrol has been directed to shepherd IFBs to the coast. All sea and shore units were also ready to augment the resources and manpower for assistance to civil authorities. Two coast guard teams including divers equipped with Gemini Craft in action for evacuating locals stranded near Kumta and Kadra near Kaiga.