Artificial flood at Kottara Chowki, Malemar areas

After a brief lull for a few days, the rain resumed in Mangaluru on Friday. The lack of stormwater drains (SWD) flooded the National Highway at Kottara Chowki. The vehicle riders had to wade through the flooded road in the city. The police struggled to manage the traffic on the flooded road of Kottara Chowki.

The sudden downpour resulted in overflowing of Rajakaluve at Kottara Chowki.

The rainwater also entered houses, shops and hotels in low-lying areas of Kottara Chowki.

Even Malemar Road near Kottara was completely inundated, and the water entered the compound of a few houses following the rain.

“A similar situation had occurred in the past too. In spite of repeated requests, the authorities failed to check the artificial flood,” complained the residents.

MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer said, “Some coconut fronds were washed away in the stormwater drain from Malemar and blocked the footbridge at Kottara Chowki resulting in an artificial flood. The MCC officials rushed to the spot and cleared the drain.”

The stormwater drains in Kuloor too overflowed on the road and disrupted traffic movement for a while.

Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, who rushed to the spot, directed the officials to provide a permanent solution to the artificial flood in the area.

“There is a need to make arrangement for the easy flow of rainwater. The Rajakaluve (main stormwater drain) in the area is choked due to mud and weeds. The officials have been directed to clear the choked stormwater drains to facilitate easy flow of water,” Kamath added.

A youth, Ranjith, was injured when a compound wall fell at Kakkebettu in Kulshekar on Friday.

A huge tree fell on a road at Chelooru in Konaje Police Station jurisdiction and affected the movement of vehicles. Later, the tree was cleared.

In the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Friday, Dakshina Kannada received an average of 27.4 mm rain.