Monsoon fury in May: Heavy rain pummels coastal districts, Malnad

Bengaluru: The early and fast advancing southwest monsoon was vigorous in coastal districts and Malnad where heavy to very heavy rainfall brought life to a standstill. Rain has brought both joy and mayhem.

While the relentless showers have infused life into rivers and reservoirs, it has also caused widespread damage to road and power infrastructure, particularly in the hilly districts.

Unyielding rain has triggered landslides and retaining wall collapses in at least 10 places between Sakleshpur and Maranahalli, severely affecting traffic on the busy Bengaluru-Mangahluru highway.

The sluggish pace of four laning of Hassan-Maranahalli and unscientific construction of retaining (Gabion) walls have only worsened the matter.

The stretch between Anemahal and Maranahalli has turned slushy causing hardships to motorists. A jeep and a car were completely damaged in tree falls in Sakleshpur taluk.

Mudslips at Shiradi Ghat and Charmadi Ghat pose a grave threat to commuters. Traffic on Mudigere state highway was hit after a massive tree came crashing on the road near Rakshidi village.

The Kodagu district administration has banned plying of heavy vehicles on all roads in the hilly district.  

Up north, the Belagavi-Chorla state highway has been closed for traffic after the overflowing Malaprabha flooded a bridge near Kusumali. The highway is the main road link between Belagavi and Goa. The Goa-bound vehicles have been diverted to Bailuru cross-Habbanahatti-Jamboti route.

Normal life was disrupted as showers continued to pummel Malnad and coastal districts. In Kodagu, the first monsoon rains have brought down temperatures drastically, keeping people indoors.

Cauvery river is flowing in full steam triggering fear of floods in Kushalnagar taluk. People living on banks have been told to move to safety. An NDRF team, along with SDRF teams, is fully geared to face any eventuality.

Tree falls and uprooting of electricity poles plunged many villages and towns in Malnad into darkness. Overflowing streams, mudslips and tree falls have prompted several coffee estate owners to declare holidays for workers as a precautionary measure.

Unrelenting rains in Kodagu, Hassan, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru have swelled rivers, including Cauvery, Hemavathi, Tunga and Bhadra.

Bhagamandala in Kodagu recorded 230 mm of rain in the last 24 hours (ending 8.30 am on Monday) and Kottigehara in Chikkamagaluru saw 220 mm of rain. Puttur (Dakshina Kannada) and Napoklu (Kodagu) registered 170 mm & 160 mm.

Heavy overnight rain inundated many low-lying areas, including Kodiyalbail, Bhagavati Nagar, Ratha Beedhi, Kottara and Jappinamogaru in Mangaluru. Motorists had a tough time negotiating flooded roads at Pumpwell Junction, KS Rao Road and Kottara.

Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts also experienced heavy rains intermittently on Monday. Moderate to heavy rain lashed north and south interior districts.

The Jog Falls is on its way to regain glory with copious rains in the catchment areas on Monday. 

Locals rescue tourists stranded atop DK falls Mangaluru DHNS: The locals rescued five tourists who were stranded atop the Eragundi Falls at Paladka in Puttige village of Moodbidri taluk of Dakshina Kannada district on Monday.

According to police officials the visitors had reportedly ignored warnings from local residents and climbed to the upper portion of the waterfall. A sudden surge in water levels in Nethravati river left the tourists stranded atop. Some swift action by local residents ensured all five tourists  were pulled to safety using ropes.