On Monday, intense rainfall caused artificial flooding across multiple areas in Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada district, disrupting daily life. Commuters, including those returning from schools and workplaces, faced immense difficulty getting home. In Mangaluru City, floodwaters inundated the basements of several commercial and residential buildings. Many low-lying areas also suffered from flooding, while waterlogging affected numerous streets.
The heavy downpour even led to rainwater entering the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat hall during a grievance meeting with Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa, demonstrating the widespread impact of the storm. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), an orange alert was issued, predicting more heavy rain in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts through Tuesday morning.
In response, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP and Udupi deputy commissioner Vidya Kumari K declared a holiday for anganwadis, primary schools, high schools, and PU colleges (both government and private) on Tuesday. Local authorities were instructed to implement necessary precautions to safeguard lives and animals. All gram panchayats and local bodies were put on high alert, with instructions to prepare for potential disasters.
Speaker UT Khader urged the district administration to have the NDRF and other rescue teams on standby, ready to handle any emergency. The IMD and Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) also forecasted widespread rain due to Cyclone Fengal. Safety measures were emphasized, including warnings for fishermen to stay out of the sea, and the public was advised to stay away from water bodies and power lines. The public was encouraged to contact the 24×7 control room for any emergencies.
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