BENGALURU, July 4: Monsoon has gathered enough warmth and for the first time this season, widespread rains lashed the coast, hills and plains on Monday.
Heavy rains in many parts of Dakshina Kannada including Mangalore. Many low-lying areas of Mangalore are inundated due to showers in the evening. Most of the roads, including the busy Pumpwell and Kottara Chowki roundabouts, were filled with water four to five feet deep and the passengers were stranded. Overflowing rainwater drains made the situation worse.
As buses did not stop on flooded roads, students and employees on their way home were stuck for hours. Rain continued on Monday in many parts of Udupi district and coastal taluks of Uttara Kannada. Hakladi in Kundapur taluk recorded a maximum rainfall of 146 mm in the last 24 hours (end at 8.30 am on Monday). One house each in Mangalore and Bantwala taluk has been completely damaged due to rain.
Kodagu district including Madikeri city received heavy rain on Monday. Dense clouds in the hilly district have left motorists scrambling due to fog. Bhagamandal recorded 80 mm of rain on Sunday night. Water level in Triveni confluence has increased due to torrential rains.
Many parts of Shimoga, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan have received good rains in the last two days. To the north, Belgaum, Dharwad Koppal, Vijayanagar, Bellary and Davangere districts recorded light to moderate rain and heavy rain at isolated places.
Good rain in Hospet town with gusty winds. Some residents of the 15th ward suffered as rainwater entered their homes. Municipal workers removed the rain water from five or six houses of Indira Nagar through motor pumps. Incidents of falling trees have been reported in some parts of the town.
Devotees flocked to the Huligi and Gavisiddeshwar temples in Koppal as the skies opened up in the afternoon. There was a huge rush in both the temples on the occasion of Guru Purnima on Monday.
As rain continued in various parts of Dakshina Kannada, District Collector Mullai Muhilan declared holiday for schools and colleges in Mangalore, Mulki, Ullal, Moobidire and Bantwala taluks on Tuesday. Heavy rains have been pouring in the district since Monday and the low-lying areas are flooded. The IMD has warned that heavy rains are likely in coastal districts till July 5.
