A dam under construction across the Gurupura river at Maravoor near Bajpe on the outskirts of Mangalore breached on Monday, as the dam lacked retaining wall on either side.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, an official said: “Due to the loose soil and lack of retaining wall, water started gushing out. The retaining wall is in the initial stages of construction.”
As twigs and other waste materials had blocked the free flow of water between the piers of the dam, it overflowed and flooded the surrounding areas.
With heavy rain lashing the region on Sunday, the water level in the river had increased. Several coconut trees have been uprooted due to the flash flood around 4.30 am, following the heavy overnight rains, residents said.
Oswald, a resident of Padushedde Kudru, said he lost several coconut trees when 53 cents of his land was inundated. “My house has partially collapsed. We cannot stay in this damaged house as it might come down any moment.”
Two other houses belonging to Joseph D’Souza and Thomas D’Souza in the vicinity have become weak and may collapse any moment.
Water entered a few shops in Surathkal. A huge tree fell and uprooted four electricity poles at Bhandarybettu on Monday. The compound wall of the house of Janardhan collapsed at Padav in Mangalore. Several low-lying areas in Udupi were also flooded.
In the last 24 hours, Puttur taluk received 118 mm rain followed by Bantwal—113.6 mm, Mangalore—110.2 mm, Belthangady—100.2 mm and Sullia—72.4 mm.