Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 14: With the arrival of the monsoon just 20 days away, a crucial project aimed at preventing lightning-related fatalities in Dakshina Kannada (DK) has been abandoned. The proposal to install lightning arresters in high-risk areas across the district has failed to progress due to lack of approval.

Last year, it was decided to prioritize the installation of lightning arresters in lightning-prone areas of the district. The directive was issued by none other than the district-in-charge minister, and the decision was officially taken during a meeting chaired by the minister on June 10 last year.

Following this, a proposal was submitted by the District Disaster Management Authority. However, due to the absence of any approval so far, the lightning arrester plan has been sidelined.

The Disaster Management Authority itself has acknowledged that Dakshina Kannada is the most lightning-prone district in the state. Considering the fatalities and damage to public property caused by lightning, the plan to install lightning arresters was drawn up.

Mangaluru and Puttur sub-divisional officers had identified and listed areas frequently hit by lightning. Proposals were submitted to install lightning arresters at over 40 locations. Quotations were obtained from service providers, and it was estimated that each lightning arrester would cost between Rs 3 lac and Rs 5 lac.

According to available information, the State Disaster Management Authority has rejected the proposal, citing that installing such arresters across Dakshina Kannada is not feasible. Experts opined that lightning arresters can protect at most one or two buildings and that spending lacs of rupees on them is unnecessary. This expert opinion led to the shelving of the project.

The lightning-prone areas identified in Dakshina Kannada district include several vulnerable localities across various taluks. In Mangaluru, the area around the Netravati bridge near Jeppinamogaru is considered high-risk. In Mulki, Ikala and Elinje have been marked, while in Moodbidri, the vulnerable spots include Karinje, Kallabetta, Padukonaje, Valpady, Shirtady, Nellikkaru, Beluvai, and Mantrady. Bantwal taluk includes Veerakamba, Kolnadu, Kanyana, Ammunje, Ajjibettu, Sangabettu, Amaradi, and Navoor. In Ullal, the areas of Ullal, Ira, Amblimogaru, and Pavoor are listed. Puttur’s high-risk zones include Keyyur, Birumale Betta, and Puttur town. The Kadaba region includes areas around Subrahmanya, Nelyadi, and Savanur. In Belthangady, lightning-prone areas are Belthangady Kasaba, Kuvettu, Odilnala villages, Nyayatarpu and Machina in Kokkada hobli, and Pilya, Balanja, and Tenkakarandur in Venur hobli. Lastly, in Sullia, the surroundings of Sullia town, Sampaje, Nellur Kemraje, Kalmakda, and Kollamogru have been identified as particularly vulnerable.

Deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan stated, “People must remain vigilant during lightning conditions. Staying indoors as much as possible can reduce the risk of fatal incidents. The project to install lightning arresters has been dropped as it has been deemed unfeasible by the Disaster Management Authority.”