Karnataka: Reduced rain intensity gives respite to Jappinamogeru residents

MANGALURU: With the intensity of the rains reducing from Friday afternoon, there was respite for residents of Jappinamogeru as water in their areas receded allowing access to their houses. On Friday, about 50 families left that area and many were provided shelter at the Maratha Bhavan while some rushed to their kin’s houses for shelter. But it was a wet day with intermittent showers all through the day.
Mayor Diwakar said with rain intensity reducing and occasional heavy showers, the area was free from water logging and inundation. "People have started returning to their houses since Friday night. There are no reports of any damage to property on Saturday," he said. Fire department personnel also said that there were no calls for rescue and relief from Saturday morning. Chief fire officer B Tippeswamy said they were ready on call for emergencies, but no calls were received by them on Saturday.
The reduced intensity of rains could be gauged from the fact that Mangaluru taluk received only one-third of the rain it received on Friday. While it was 210 mm on Friday, it was just 75mm on Saturday, in the last 24 hours till 8.30am. Bantwal and Belthangady taluks received 75mm and 65 mm of rainfall respectively.
KSNMDC warned of widespread moderate to heavy rains with isolated very heavy rains over Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts and warned fishermen not to venture out into the sea.
Builder served notice: Meanwhile MCC Commissioner Akshy Sridhar served a notice on the builder of the property where part of the retaining wall and tie beams collapsed at Derebail on Friday, seeking explanation, in 24 hours, why the building should not be declared as unfit for human habitation. The occupancy certificate of the building has been suspended till further notice. The Commissioner recalled that when the building licence was granted, the builder had given an indemnity bond stating that he was responsible for building safety. Since the above condition has been violated, the Commissioner invoked Karnataka Municipalities Act 443(4) to suspend the occupancy certificate.
On Saturday, former MLC Ivan D’ Souza, along with the NDRF team, visited the site to assess the situation and the safety of the building.