In the past 24 hours, Mangaluru has witnessed six tragic rain-related deaths. Two auto drivers, Raju Gowda, 50, from Alluru in Hassan district, and Devraj Gowda, 46, from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district, were electrocuted by a live electric wire. The incident occurred around 9 pm on Wednesday near Rosario Church. An electric pole fell, causing one of the drivers to step on a live wire. The second driver was electrocuted when he tried to help.
Earlier on Wednesday, four family members died when a compound wall collapsed on them in Kuttaru Madaninagar village. Heavy rains the previous night weakened the wall. The incident happened at 6:30 am. The police have registered a case regarding this tragic event.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Mangaluru received 152.9 mm of rain in the last 24 hours. Honnavar and Shirali in Uttara Kannada recorded 75.5 mm and 66.8 mm of rainfall, respectively. The IMD has predicted more intense rain in isolated areas of Dakshina Kannada and Shivamogga districts.
Due to the heavy rainfall, schools in the Dakshina Kannada district were closed on Thursday. Agumbe in Shivamogga received 150.5 mm of rain, GoniKoppal in Kodagu got 91 mm, and Mudigere in Chikkamagaluru received 38 mm. Landslides have also been reported in Kodagu, disrupting normal life.
In Mandya district, the Krishna Raja Sagar dam’s inflow has increased, with water levels reaching 88 feet against a capacity of 114 feet. The irrigation department reported an internal flow of over 3,800 cusec. This increase has intensified agricultural activities in the Cauvery basin, especially in Mandya.
The continuous rain has caused significant damage and disrupted daily life in many parts of Karnataka. Authorities are on high alert to manage the situation and provide necessary assistance to those affected.