Monsoon fury batters coastal Karnataka, red alert triggers shutdowns

The southwest monsoon has hit Coastal Karnataka with full force, unleashing torrential rains that have caused widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and major disruptions in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

As a precautionary move, both district administrations declared holidays for Anganwadis on Monday. With rainfall intensifying and a red alert issued, all schools and PU colleges — including government, private, and aided institutions — were ordered shut on May 27 and 28.

In Mangaluru, key areas like Mahaveera Circle and Jyothi Circle were submerged. Kukke Subrahmanya’s bathing ghat was completely under water. SDRF teams have been deployed in Mangaluru and Subrahmanya, while the NDRF is stationed in Puttur to respond to any emergencies.

The Dakshina Kannada district reported serious damage — two houses were fully destroyed, 22 others partially damaged, and over 250 electric poles and 75 km of roads were affected. In Udupi, 17 houses sustained partial damage. In Moodabidri, locals rescued stranded tourists at Eragundi Falls after a sudden surge in water levels.

District In-charge Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar has directed officials to prepare for evacuations and set up 24/7 helplines and relief shelters. Meanwhile, her Dakshina Kannada counterpart Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized swift clearance of fallen trees and debris, close monitoring of landslide-prone regions, and public safety measures.

In Uttara Kannada, landslides briefly blocked roads but were cleared quickly. With more rain forecast in the coming days, administrations remain on high alert to prevent further calamities.

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