Mangaluru/Udupi – Continuous heavy rainfall battered Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts on Friday, triggering artificial flooding, damaging infrastructure, and prompting school closures in some regions.

In Bantwal taluk, authorities declared a holiday for schools and colleges as a safety measure. Mangaluru, Puttur, Sullia, Beltangady, Uppinangady, Ullal, Subrahmanya, and several other parts of DK saw intense morning showers, a brief lull, and heavy rains returning in the evening.

As of 8:30 am on July 4, rainfall totals included:

  • Bantwal: 68.2 mm

  • Belthangady: 62.6 mm

  • Sullia: 61 mm

  • Mangaluru & Puttur: 49 mm each

  • Moodbidri: 36 mm

  • Kadaba: 48.4 mm

  • Ullal: 40.3 mm

  • Mulki: 26.6 mm

    • The average rainfall across DK stood at 56 mm. The downpour led to partial damage to five houses, 55 electric poles, and one transformer. Emergency response units have been mobilized:

    • SDRF/Civil Defence: 15 members in Mangaluru

  • Subrahmanya: 10-member team

  • NDRF: 25-member team in Puttur

  • 26 rescue boats on standby

    • The IMD issued an orange alert for July 5 and 6, warning of heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and rough sea conditions along the coastal belt.

    In Udupi, the rain lashed areas like Karkala, Kundapur, Brahmavar, Hebri, Kaup, and Byndoor throughout the day. However, confusion prevailed over school holiday declarations. Initially under a red alert, the region’s warning was downgraded to orange by morning. The administration left the holiday decision to tahsildars, who then passed it to Block Education Officers (BEOs).

    Unfortunately, many schools had already opened by the time final calls were made. Some institutions sent students home mid-morning. Parents expressed frustration over the delayed and unclear communication, urging timely decisions to avoid putting children at risk.

    With the orange alert continuing, further rainfall is expected this weekend.