Mangaluru: Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms lashed several parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts over the weekend, bringing relief from the sweltering heat and providing much-needed moisture to agricultural fields. The showers also caused waterlogging, traffic disruptions and power-related issues in some areas.

In Mangaluru, heavy rain began around 5 pm on Saturday and continued with thunderstorms through the evening and night. The city had recorded a maximum temperature of 33.3 degrees Celsius before the showers, which was 2.8 degrees Celsius above normal.

The rainfall was reported across several taluks in the two coastal districts, with some areas receiving moderate to heavy showers over the past few days.

Heavy showers lash Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada

The sudden downpour in Mangaluru resulted in waterlogging on several roads and led to traffic congestion in different parts of the city.

The rainfall was accompanied by thunder and lightning, particularly during Saturday evening and night. The showers came after a period of high temperatures in the coastal region, offering temporary relief to residents.

Puttur taluk has been receiving continuous rainfall for three days, according to the report. Several areas of Belthangady taluk, including Charmadi, Kakkinje, Neriya, Mundaje and Ujire, also experienced moderate to heavy showers.

The rainfall has been welcomed by farmers, particularly those cultivating arecanut, paddy and coconut. The additional moisture is expected to provide some relief to plantations that had been affected by the recent rise in temperatures.

Lightning damages house in Dakshina Kannada

The thunderstorms also resulted in damage to a house in Devashyamudoor village.

A house belonging to Purushotham was partially damaged after lightning struck the property on the night of October 2. Electrical wiring and appliances inside the house were damaged, while roof sheets were also broken.

The incident highlights the risks associated with the intense thunderstorms accompanying the recent rainfall. Residents in affected areas have been advised to exercise caution during lightning and heavy rain.

Moderate rainfall was also reported in neighbouring Kasaragod district, including Manjeshwar and Badiyadka.

Udupi receives rain in several areas

Udupi district also experienced moderate to heavy rainfall at several locations.

Kaup, Shirva, Belve and Goliyangadi received moderate showers on Saturday evening, while Udupi city and Manipal experienced scattered rainfall.

On Sunday, heavier showers accompanied by intense thunder and lightning were reported in Karkala and Hebri taluks. The thunderstorms resulted in power outages in several areas and damaged electrical appliances in parts of Karkala taluk.

Bajagoli, Sanur, Kervashe and Bailoor were among the areas affected by the power-related incidents.

The combination of heavy rain and lightning caused temporary disruption to normal activities in several locations.

Rain provides relief to farmers

The recent rainfall has brought relief to the agricultural sector across the coastal districts.

Arecanut, coconut and paddy plantations had been facing stress because of the high temperatures and dry conditions. The showers have supplied much-needed moisture to the soil and crops.

For farmers, even short spells of rainfall can be useful at this stage, particularly for plantations that require regular moisture.

However, the rainfall has been uneven, with some areas receiving heavy showers while others recorded only scattered rain.

The agricultural benefit will therefore depend on how rainfall is distributed over the coming days.

Dense fog adds to weather changes

An unusual spell of dense fog was also observed during the morning hours in several parts of the coastal region.

Mangaluru, Udupi, Manipal, Hebri and Karkala witnessed dense fog on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The fog created inconvenience for motorists, particularly those travelling towards the Agumbe Ghat region.

The combination of morning fog, thunderstorms and sudden heavy showers has resulted in noticeable changes in weather conditions across the region.

Motorists travelling during early morning hours have been advised to exercise caution because reduced visibility can increase the risk of accidents, especially on ghat roads and stretches surrounded by vegetation.

Dharmasthala records highest rainfall

Rainfall measurements recorded during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Saturday showed that Dharmasthala received the highest rainfall in Karnataka during that period, recording 3 cm.

Puttur, Mani, Belthangady and Uppinangady recorded 1 cm each during the same period.

The figures indicate the variation in rainfall across Dakshina Kannada, with some locations receiving significantly heavier showers than others.

Further rainfall could improve soil moisture conditions in agricultural areas, although continued monitoring will be necessary because the region has experienced uneven rainfall during the season.

Rain likely to continue for two more days

According to the India Meteorological Department forecast cited in the report, the coastal districts are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall over the next two days.

Residents in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi may therefore continue to experience intermittent showers, particularly during afternoon and evening hours.

The possibility of thunderstorms means that temporary disruptions to electricity supply and traffic could occur in some areas.

Authorities and residents will also need to remain alert to waterlogging and lightning-related incidents if heavy showers continue.

Temporary relief from coastal heat

The rainfall comes after temperatures in the coastal region rose above normal levels.

Mangaluru’s maximum temperature of 33.3 degrees Celsius on Saturday was 2.8 degrees Celsius above normal before the rainfall began. The subsequent showers brought a noticeable change in weather conditions and offered relief from the heat.

While the rainfall has eased the immediate heat conditions, its longer-term impact on water availability and agriculture will depend on the distribution and duration of further showers.

For residents, the rain has provided welcome relief, while farmers have benefited from additional moisture for standing crops and plantations.

Conclusion

Mangaluru: Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms lashed parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi over the weekend, bringing relief from high temperatures and providing moisture to agricultural fields. Mangaluru, Puttur, Belthangady, Karkala and Hebri were among the areas that received significant rainfall.

The showers also caused waterlogging, traffic disruptions, power outages and lightning-related damage in some locations. The IMD forecast indicates that coastal Karnataka is likely to receive light to moderate rainfall over the next two days.