Heavy rain that lashed Mangaluru and surrounding areas since Thursday morning inundated several low-lying areas as Mangaluru City Corporation’s haphazard civil works caused artificial floods across the city.
The artificial flooding with about 70 mm rain comes at a time when the weathermen have forecast heavy rainfall for the next two days and extremely heavy rainfall for the next three days till Tuesday.
The Central Railway Station in the heart of the city witnessed artificial flooding across its premises, though normal train operations were not affected. Passengers had to wade through knee-deep waters to enter the platforms as the front portion of the station was filled with rainwater.
Accumulated rainwater entered the station premises too. Ongoing civil works on the station premises as well as improper drainage work by the corporation are said to be the reasons for the artificial flooding. Similar was the case with the Railway Mail Service office located on the same premises. RMS employees had to struggle to protect mail bags and other consignments from the accumulated rainwater.
Meanwhile, roads in the Bunder area were filled with rainwater affecting routine trade and commerce activities in the locality. Low-lying areas in the city, including Ballalbagh, Kudroli, M.G. Road and surrounding areas, too witnessed artificial flooding.
The busy Jyothi Circle again witnessed water clogging due to improper drainage system. With the rain losing its intensity by noon, water-logged areas got a breather even as personnel from the corporation and Fire and Emergency Services worked towards clearing blockages.
Other parts of Dakshina Kannada, including Bantwal, Belthangady, Puttur and Sullia taluks, too witnessed heavy rain since morning.
Warning
The India Meteorological Department has warned heavy rainfall (up to 115 mm) till Friday morning, very heavy rainfall (up to 204 mm) till Saturday morning and extremely heavy rainfall (more than 204 mm) for the next three days in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
A Nowcast issued by the department at 6.25 p.m. on Thursday forecast heavy rain in the three coastal districts.
