Karkala: Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and gusty winds caused widespread damage across several areas, uprooting trees and bringing down more than 20 electric poles, leading to power outages and disruption of normal life.
Roads blocked and traffic disrupted
The affected regions, including Shirlalu, Andaru and Ajekar, witnessed intense winds on Tuesday evening following a few days of light showers. The sudden escalation in weather conditions resulted in major obstructions on roads and damage to infrastructure.
At Kondalike on the Andaru–Kaduhole main road, large trees were uprooted and fell across the road, snapping power lines and halting traffic completely. Local residents, along with Mescom and revenue department officials, worked together to remove the fallen trees and restore connectivity.
Houses and public property damaged
Significant property damage was reported in multiple locations. In Andaru Jagadamba, a tree fell onto the house of a resident identified as Suresh, partially damaging the structure. A young woman inside the house sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Near the power substation on the Ajekar–Andaru main road, another fallen tree caused traffic disruption for several hours. On the Ajekar Vishnumurthy Temple road, trees collapsed onto power lines, pulling down multiple electric poles onto the street.
In Guddeyangadi, strong winds blew away the roof of a passenger bus shelter, resulting in its complete destruction.
Mescom reports losses
The Mescom department has reported losses of approximately Rs 4 lakh in the affected areas, including Shirlalu, Andaru and Kaduhole, where over 20 electric poles were uprooted.
Heavy rainfall was also recorded in surrounding areas such as Kerwashe, Mala, Nooralbettu and Bajagoli, further adding to the extent of the damage.
Power outages across taluks
The damage to electric infrastructure led to widespread power outages in several parts of Karkala and Hebri taluks. As a precautionary measure and due to technical faults, electricity supply was temporarily suspended in multiple areas.
Mescom personnel have been deployed on-site and are currently working to repair damaged lines and restore power supply as quickly as possible.
Restoration efforts underway
Authorities and emergency teams continue to assess the damage and clear affected areas. Efforts are being made to ensure that normalcy is restored at the earliest, with priority given to reopening roads and reinstating electricity.
Conclusion
The sudden spell of severe weather has highlighted the vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme climatic conditions. While no major casualties were reported, the damage underscores the need for preparedness and swift response mechanisms during such events.