As incessant heavy rain continues to wreak havoc across some parts of India, multiple areas in Karnataka too witnessed rain-induced landslides on the intervening night of July 29 and July 30. In view of an extremely heavy rain forecast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert in five districts of Karnataka for Wednesday.
These districts include Shivamogga, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, and Kodagu districts. The Met Department also issued an orange alert warning for two districts-- Hassan and Uttara Kannada.
Following the alert, the district administration declared a holiday for educational institutions in Dakshina Kannada. A potential landslide alert has also been issued for 31 taluks in the state.
IMD stated that South Interior Karnataka is very likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall on July 30-31. It also issued a red alert for Coastal Karnataka, warning extremely heavy rainfall on July 30-31.
The data shared by the weather department stated that in the past 24 hours till 8:30 AM, South Interior Karnataka received heavy to very heavy rainfall. Kammardi in Chikkamagaluru received the highest rainfall at 19 cm, followed by Kodagu's Napoklu at 18 cm, and Chikkamagaluru's Koppa at 15 cm.
Houses Submerged In Dakshina Kannada As Netravathi River Breaches Danger Mark
Later, the updated data showed that Kalasa in Chikkamagaluru recorded 25 cm rainfall and Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada recorded 17 cm rainfall.
The heavy rain led to severe waterlogging in Coastal Karnataka, with houses in the Dakshina Kannada district submerged, as the water level of the Netravathi River crossed the danger mark.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire brigade teams have been deployed in the area and rescue operations are underway.
The data released by the Dakshina Kannada disaster management team noted that the heavy rain in the months of June and July killed at least five people and destroyed 106 houses. Five others were injured in the rain-related incidents in the Coastal Karmataka district.
In view of this, the Karnataka government has opened three relief camps to provide shelter to people. At least 100 people seeking shelter were shifted to safer places or their relatives' places after the inundation.
A portion of the road that served as an alternative route to the Bengaluru-Mengaluru highway was swept away after a massive landslide in Hassan district's Sakleshpur on July 29 night. Another landslip hit vehicular movement on the Bengaluru-Mengaluru highway (NH 75) on July 30, leaving two trucks and a car stuck in mud.
Six people were stranded in Virajpet talkuk of Kodagu as incessant rains in the last 10 days continued to batter the district.
Amidst the havoc caused by the rains, the Chikkamagaluru district administration had also requested tourists to postpone their travel plans until further notice.