Deluge in Dakshina Kannada as overflowing rivers submerge bridges, roads

Mangaluru, Aug 10: The unabated rain has literally brought life to a standstill in Dakshina Kannada as most rivers including Netravati and Kumaradhara overflowed, submerging roads and bridges across the district. Water in the rivers has touched the danger level at many places.

Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil has appealed to the people residing on the banks of rivers to shift to safer places. Nodal officers camping in the flood-prone areas are all set to tackle flood situation, he added.

“Residents on either side of the Netravati river between Uppinangady and Mangaluru should shift immediately. Officials have been camping in identified spots where there are possibilities of flooding. Our teams are fully prepared to face any situation,” said Mr Senthil.

The district administration has extended the holiday to anganwadi centres, schools, colleges and postgraduation centres to the fourth consecutive day on Saturday. Fishermen were advised not to go on deep-sea fishing for the next three days.

Meanwhile, stretches on national highways and state highways in the district have been flooded due to heavy rain. Stretches on Bengaluru – Mangaluru national highway at Panjala, Valalu, Udane and Lavathadka in Uppinangady have been flooded. While the flood water level on national highway at Panjala, Valalu and Udane is three feet, the road stretch at Lavathadka is under two feet water.

A 23-year-old youth who had stepped into Kapila river in order to collect sand at Sudegundi near Koppa drowned on Thursday.  With the river in spate, local residents had warned him not to collect sand. However when he entered water, he was washed away by strong current. The deceased is identified as Bhuvith.