People walk on the waterlogged road near Dongarkery in Mangaluru.
Credit: DH Photo / Fakruddin H
Mangaluru: A short but intense spell of rain on Saturday evening left several low-lying areas of Mangaluru severely waterlogged, bringing normal life to a standstill and disrupting vehicular movement across the city. The rain that lasted for two hours subsided by late evening.
Prominent locations such as Car Street, Pumpwell Circle (also known as Mahaveera Circle), Kottara Chowki and other key junctions were marooned due to heavy water accumulation. The sudden downpour, caused artificial flooding in several parts of the city, resulting in long traffic snarls and delays.
Although the morning began on a bright and sunny note, by afternoon, the sky turned overcast and rain lashed the region unexpectedly. Among the worst-hit areas was the Padil railway underpass , Pumpwell Circle, where the inundation severely hampered the movement of vehicles. Traffic police personnel at Pumpwell were seen assisting pedestrians and motorists in navigating the flooded roads.
The waterlogging at Pumpwell caused traffic congestion along the connecting roads, affecting the overall flow across the region. In Ekkur and Jappinamogaru, the overflowing stormwater drains (rajakaluve) triggered concern among residents as water entered nearby homes and properties, heightening tension in the affected neighbourhoods.
The parking lot at Mangaluru Central Railway Station was also submerged, causing inconvenience to passengers and railway staff alike. Access roads leading to Mahamaya Temple were under knee-deep water, and vehicles had to wade through the stagnant water with difficulty. Elsewhere, areas such as the new Kadri Temple Road leading towards Bejai, Kodialguthu West Road, and the stretch near Vishal Nursing Home were inundated, making travel hazardous for motorists.
The retaining wall of a major stormwater drain in Ekkur collapsed due to the force of flowing water, resulting in flooding in the Mugeru locality. “There was water till the waist on Kodialguthu West Road," said a resident of Kodialguthu West Road.
Meanwhile, IMD has sounded red alert in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on June 15 and 16 and orange alert on June 17 and 18.