Karnataka rain: Swollen rivers, inundation, landslides continue to affect normal life

MANGALURU/ UDUPI: The rains continued to pound the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi even on Saturday, but with less intensity. The IMD has forecast a red alert for the coastal districts till July 12.
Like Friday, the day was marked by inundation and hillocks slides due to water saturation at many places in both the districts, with inundation at its peak in Kundapur and Byndoor taluks of Udupi district.
There were reports of several tree falls, landslides at Valachil, Derebail in Mangaluru Taluk, Mundaje in Belthangady taluk, Jalsoor in Sullia taluk, and sea erosion continued on the coastline at many places. The district administrations have directed people to move out from vulnerable areas to safer places or government designated relief centres.
The past few days of rain saw the water levels rising to near danger levels in DK rivers. While Nethravathi River at Bantwal was flowing at 6.8 mts, the danger level being 8.5 mts, Nethravathi river at Uppinangady was at 28.60 mts, with the danger level being 31.5 mts. The two rivers' water levels have risen slightly from Friday's levels. The Gundya river was at 4.5 mts with danger level being 5 mts.
A bulletin issued by IMD at 1pm on Saturday stated that very heavy rainfall was seen at Mulki (Dakshina Kannada) receiving 190mm; Karkala (Udupi dt) 150mm; Kota (Udupi dt), 14 0mm; Moodbidri (Dakshina Kannada dt), Siddapura (Udupi dt), 130mm each. Heavy rainfall amounts Belthangady, Subramanya (both Dakshina Kannada dt), Udupi, Manki (Uttara Kannada dt) received 100mm each.
According to KSNMDC, three places in Udupi district received heaviest rainfall in the state. They are: Kuchhuru, Karkala Taluk received 228mm of rainfall, Kurkalu, Udupi Taluk received 191mm and Nalkur, Udupi Taluk received 184mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours till Saturday.
All taluks of DK District received excess rainfall by 100% to 200% than the average rainfall recorded for the day. Dakshina Kannada district received an average rainfall of 653mm, Udupi received 807mm and Uttara Kannada district received 496mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.
In the last 24 hours, Moodbidri and Sullia received the highest rainfall at 59mm and 43mm respectively. Rest of the taluks the rainfall was as follows: Belthangady, 39mm, Bantwal 30mm, Mangaluru 31mm and Puttur received 36mm of rainfall. Kadaba taluk saw the least rainfall at 25 mm.
Flight to Dubai from M’luru delayed by 13 hours
Due to the late-night flight from Dubai, which was scheduled to land at the airport at 9.15pm on Friday, being diverted to Cochin, the Dubai flight from Mangaluru left to Dubai 13 hours late at 12.30pm on Saturday.
Airport sources said that low visibility due to rain forced the flight to divert first to Coimbatore at 9.45pm and later to Cochin at 10.15pm. The diverted flight landed at MIA at 9.30am on Saturday due to crew change and later left for Dubai at 12.30pm on Saturday, instead of 11.30pm on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Mangaluru flight landed an hour late due to low visibility, after circling the airport for nearly an hour at 12.30pm.The late evening Flight to Chennai from Mangaluru, scheduled at 9pm has been delayed by 90 minutes.
Zoo inundated
Due to heavy rains and flooding at a few enclosures and trees being uprooted, the zoo at Pilikula has been closed to the public till Monday. On Saturday the rains saw the park premises being inundated. Pilikula Biological Park director H J Bhandary said from the point of view of public and animal safety, the zoo will remain closed till such time the authorities feel it is safe for the public to come.