Mangaluru/Udupi: Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed several parts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts on Friday, causing waterlogging in urban areas, disrupting electricity supply and flooding agricultural fields. In Neerakatte, near Uppinangady, rainwater inundated a stretch of National Highway 75, bringing traffic on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru highway to a standstill for nearly an hour.
The sudden downpour exposed drainage problems in Udupi city and highlighted the consequences of incomplete highway construction in Neerakatte, where a blocked stream prevented rainwater from draining naturally. The flooding affected motorists, local residents and farmers, with arecanut plantations and paddy fields among the areas impacted.
Heavy showers lash Udupi district
Dark clouds gathered over Udupi district on Friday afternoon, followed by light rain that gradually intensified into heavy showers around 4 pm. Thunder and lightning accompanied the rainfall, particularly during the evening, while several areas experienced cloudy and sunny conditions in the morning before the weather changed.
In Udupi city, rainwater failed to drain properly into stormwater drains at several locations, spilling onto roads and making movement difficult for motorists and pedestrians.
Areas including Hiriyadka, Ontibettu, AtradI, Kallianpur Santhekatte, Manipal and their surrounding localities received rainfall. Similar conditions prevailed across Udupi, Karkala, Kundapur, Byndoor, Brahmavar, Kaup and Hebri taluks.
Thunderstorms were particularly intense in rural areas during the evening, disrupting electricity supply in some locations. Several parts of the district had also experienced rainfall throughout Thursday night.
Lightning struck the house of Chandray Acharya in Nitte village of Karkala taluk on Thursday night, causing partial damage to the building.
Karkala and Hebri taluks also received rain on Friday, with light showers reported after noon in Kervashe, Bajagoli, Hosmaru, Hirgana, Bailur and Ajekar.
Highway flooding brings traffic to a standstill
In Dakshina Kannada district, heavy rainfall around noon on Friday caused artificial flooding on National Highway 75 near Neerakatte, close to Uppinangady. The flooding was attributed to a blocked stream amid ongoing construction work on the BC Road–Addahole highway project.
Construction work at Neerakatte remains incomplete, and the stream had become obstructed by accumulated silt. While earlier moderate rainfall had not caused a significant rise in the water level, Friday’s heavy showers triggered a sudden surge of water.
The increased flow carried pieces of wood and silt, further obstructing the stream. With the water unable to pass through its usual channel, it overflowed onto the highway, submerging portions of the road.
Water accumulated at multiple points along an approximately two-kilometre stretch covering Neerakatte and Bedrodi. The situation disrupted traffic on the busy Mangaluru-Bengaluru highway, leaving vehicles stranded in the flooded stretch.
Small cars and even tankers were caught in the water, with drivers struggling to determine whether it was safe to proceed. Motorists travelling along the highway, as well as those using local roads, were left uncertain about which routes remained passable.
Traffic was completely disrupted for nearly an hour. Movement gradually improved after the rainfall subsided and accumulated silt was cleared, allowing the water covering the highway to recede.
The incident raised concerns about drainage arrangements at the construction site, particularly during sudden spells of intense rainfall.
Rain damages crops and inundates plantations
The impact of the rainfall extended beyond the highway, with several surrounding areas of Uppinangady receiving heavy showers. Bajathur, Kanchana, Halenerekere, Koila, Golithottu, Valalu, Neerakatte and Bedrodi were among the areas affected.
Streams overflowed at several locations, while rainwater entered paddy fields and plantations. The sudden accumulation of water caused concern among farmers, particularly those whose crops were approaching harvest.
Arecanut plantations were inundated, and arecanuts that had fallen to the ground were washed away by the flowing water. Farmers also reported damage to paddy crops that were ready for harvesting, raising concerns about potential losses.
The rain began around 3 pm and continued steadily for approximately one-and-a-half hours, followed by intermittent drizzle until night.
Residents said the scale of the flooding was unexpected, as rainfall had been relatively low during the season and the area had not experienced inundation of this magnitude in recent months.
The rapid flow of water through agricultural land also highlighted the vulnerability of low-lying areas when natural drainage channels become obstructed.
Incomplete construction raises drainage concerns
The flooding at Neerakatte has drawn attention to the importance of maintaining natural drainage channels during highway construction. The stream’s obstruction by silt and other debris prevented rainwater from flowing freely, resulting in water spilling onto the highway and nearby agricultural land.
Although the heavy downpour triggered the sudden rise in water levels, the blocked stream significantly worsened the situation. The incident demonstrates how inadequate drainage arrangements at construction sites can lead to artificial flooding, even when rainfall is limited to a relatively short period.
The waterlogging also created difficulties for motorists unfamiliar with the affected stretch. With water covering parts of the road, drivers were unable to assess the depth safely, increasing the risk of vehicles becoming stranded.
Photographs and videos showing the highway submerged in water circulated widely on social media, prompting questions from the public about the source of the large volume of water and the circumstances that led to the flooding.
The incident has underscored the need to ensure that streams and drainage channels remain unobstructed during ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly in areas prone to sudden heavy showers.
Sudden downpour disrupts normal life
Friday’s rainfall affected both urban and rural areas across the two coastal districts. While Udupi city witnessed waterlogging on roads because of inadequate drainage, the flooding at Neerakatte caused a major disruption on one of the region’s important highway connections.
The damage to crops and arecanut plantations added to the concerns of local farmers, while the temporary suspension of traffic inconvenienced commuters travelling between Mangaluru and Bengaluru.
With showers continuing intermittently into the night in parts of the affected region, the incident highlighted the need for effective stormwater management and proper drainage arrangements, especially at locations where infrastructure work remains incomplete.
Ensuring that natural watercourses remain clear and that rainwater can drain away without obstruction will be crucial to preventing similar incidents during future spells of heavy rainfall.