Heavy rain lashes Udupi: Unanticipated thunderstorms cause havoc

Udupi: On Monday evening and night, the district headquarters experienced a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning, creating panic among the residents. The sudden rain caused waterlogging in low-lying areas.

On Sunday, heavy rains had already hit Agumbe, a region near the Western Ghats, resulting in cloudburst-like conditions. The downpour also extended to Udupi and Manipal, starting around 7:30 PM and continuing till 10 PM.

People were alarmed by the constant thunder and lightning, which damaged several electrical appliances in homes. The continuous rain for over an hour caused drains to overflow, flooding the roads like rivers. Many who had stepped out for errands or were returning from work were caught in the downpour, further unnerved by the thunder and lightning.

As a precautionary measure, the power supply was cut off in various parts of the city to avoid further damage. The heavy rain also led to traffic jams on the highways and major roads, making smooth transportation difficult.

Completely Unexpected

The region had been without rain for several days, so nobody expected such a heavy downpour in one day. The Meteorological Department had not issued any advance warning either. While the rain caused minor damage in certain areas, overall, the heavy rains on Monday night left people in distress.

In Kundapur and Karkala regions, rain continued intermittently late into the night, accompanied by thunderstorms. The atmosphere in Udupi, Manipal, and Malpe was marked by a mix of sun and clouds throughout the day, with the rain picking up momentum after 7 PM. Meanwhile, parts of Dakshina Kannada, such as Puttur and Sullia, received light showers.