Mangaluru/Udupi: After days of intense heat and oppressive humidity, residents across coastal Karnataka finally received relief as pre-monsoon showers accompanied by thunderstorms lashed several parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on Thursday evening. However, the sudden downpour also exposed poor urban preparedness, with several roads in Mangaluru city submerged within minutes, triggering massive traffic disruptions and widespread inconvenience.
Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning was reported in Mangaluru, Moodbidri, Beltangady, Kadaba, Udupi, Padubidri and Kundapur. The rainfall brought down temperatures significantly across the coastal belt, but also caused waterlogging, damage to houses, crop losses and injuries due to lightning and falling trees.
Torrential rain paralyses Mangaluru traffic
A mere 20 minutes of heavy rain was enough to throw traffic movement in Mangaluru city completely out of gear. Major stretches of the national highway at Pumpwell, Kulur and Kottara Chowki were inundated after rainwater failed to drain properly, leaving nearly two to three feet of stagnant water on the roads.
The underpass beneath the Pumpwell flyover once again witnessed severe artificial flooding, a recurring issue during every monsoon season. Two-wheeler riders were seen cautiously navigating through submerged stretches amid fears of skidding and engine failure.
Waterlogging near the Kulur highway led to kilometre-long traffic snarls, with vehicles remaining stranded for long periods during the evening rush hour. Several motorists complained that movement across key junctions became nearly impossible as rainwater overflowed onto the roads.
Roads surrounding Lalbagh, Bejai and the KSRTC bus stand resembled flowing streams as stormwater mixed with mud and debris from ongoing road excavation works. Commuters faced severe hardship while office-goers struggled to return home due to prolonged traffic congestion across the city.
Poor drainage exposes civic shortcomings
Thursday’s rainfall also highlighted the inadequate pre-monsoon preparedness of the Mangaluru City Corporation ahead of the southwest monsoon season, which is expected to arrive during the first week of June.
Residents criticised the civic body for failing to complete desilting works in major stormwater drains, locally known as Raja Kaluves. In several parts of the city, drains remained clogged with plastic waste, mud and garbage, preventing rainwater from flowing freely.
As a result, overflowing drains caused water to enter roadside shops and commercial establishments, damaging goods and disrupting business activities. Shop owners in low-lying areas alleged that repeated complaints regarding blocked drains and unfinished civic works had gone unaddressed despite warnings about approaching monsoon rains.
The flooding also renewed concerns over the city’s ageing drainage infrastructure and the impact of unplanned road excavation works being carried out simultaneously in multiple locations.
Rain causes injuries and property damage
The pre-monsoon showers were accompanied by strong winds, thunder and lightning, resulting in injuries and damage to houses in several parts of the coastal districts.
In Mundkur village of Karkala taluk, a woman identified as Jaya Salian suffered a head injury after reportedly being struck by lightning. She was later admitted to a hospital in Mangaluru for treatment.
Meanwhile, in Valpadi village of Moodbidri taluk, another woman sustained injuries after a huge tree crashed onto her house during the storm. Authorities said strong winds uprooted several trees and electric poles in the area, disrupting power supply in nearby localities.
A house belonging to Raju in the same village also suffered damage due to falling trees and gusty winds. Local officials visited the affected areas to assess the extent of destruction caused by the sudden weather event.
Crop losses reported in Udupi district
The heavy rainfall also caused considerable damage to agricultural and horticultural crops in parts of Udupi district. Officials said several families suffered losses after plantations and cultivated lands were affected by intense rain and wind.
According to preliminary reports, 12 houses in Karkala taluk suffered partial damage, while five houses in Udupi taluk and one house each in Kaup and Hebri taluks were also damaged.
Authorities further confirmed that horticultural crops belonging to three families in Hebri taluk were destroyed during the heavy rain. Revenue and disaster management officials are expected to conduct detailed inspections to estimate compensation for affected families.
Relief from heat, warning for monsoon season
While residents welcomed the drop in temperature after weeks of sweltering weather, Thursday’s rainfall served as an early warning regarding the challenges likely during the upcoming monsoon season.
Experts have repeatedly cautioned that inadequate stormwater management, encroached drains and delayed civic works could worsen flooding in urban areas once the southwest monsoon intensifies along the Karnataka coast.
With monsoon expected within weeks, residents are now demanding immediate action from civic authorities to clear drains, repair damaged roads and improve flood management systems before heavier rainfall arrives.