Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Aug 20: Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds over the past two days has caused widespread damage across Udupi district. Hebri taluk has been the worst affected, with thousands of trees uprooted and hundreds of houses suffering partial damage.

Reports indicate that in Hebri and Karkala taluks, several houses and plantations have been damaged. Village panchayats are collecting damage reports and forwarding them to the tahsildar’s office. Revenue officials have visited the affected areas, conducted spot inspections, and submitted updates to higher authorities. Areas such as Belman, Nandalike, Chara, and Mudradi have reported the highest damage.

In Hebri taluk alone, over 30 houses have been damaged, and thousands of trees have been uprooted. More than 10 houses have sustained damage in Kabbinale and Kapoli areas, while extensive damage has also been reported to areca nut plantations. In Belman, more than 25 houses have been damaged. Power supply has been disrupted as strong winds damaged electric poles and wires across the taluk.

According to Tuesday morning’s report, Hebri, Karkala, and Kundapur taluks have recorded the most damage, while Udupi, Hebri, Kundapur, and Byndoor have witnessed heavy rainfall.

Several houses have been damaged after trees fell on them in Kundapur taluk, including the residences of Noojadi Koragaya Shetty, Kasaba Lalitha Thimmappa Poojari, Nagu, Yadadi-Matyadi Devaki Devadiga, Basrur Rajeevi, Hosadu Manjunath Acharya, Kadthala Lalitha Raju Acharya, Erlapadi Jalaja Shetty, Girija Shetty, Vimala Shetty, Sumantra Tantri, Mundkur Guruvappa, Nandali Nazareth, and Dennis Mendonca. In total, 14 houses have been damaged by fallen trees, with losses estimated at around Rs 5 lac.

In Kundapur’s Molahalli, the cattle shed of Sita Kulal was damaged, causing an estimated loss of Rs 50,000, while at Aluru, Sheshagiri Acharya’s cattle shed was damaged, with a loss of Rs 30,000 reported.

Between Monday morning and Tuesday morning, the district’s seven taluks recorded an average of 79 mm of rainfall. Hebri received the highest at 105.5 mm, followed by Kundapur (92.8 mm), Byndoor (83.5 mm), Udupi (74.9 mm), Brahmavar (66.3 mm), Karkala (60.9 mm), and Kaup (39.5 mm).

Despite a red alert being in place until Tuesday morning, the rainfall later decreased, with only light showers reported in some areas. Byndoor, Kundapur, Hebri, Karkala, and Brahmavar experienced heavy rainfall in parts, while Udupi saw light rain on Monday night. With the red alert in place, schools and PU colleges in the district were declared closed on Tuesday. Weather officials have indicated the possibility of reduced rainfall on Wednesday.

In Karkala and Hebri rural areas, over 50 houses, cattle sheds, and plantations have been damaged in the last two days due to heavy rain and strong winds.

In Belman-Nandalike village alone, more than 25 houses have been damaged. Strong winds uprooted trees, damaging over 50 electricity poles. Roofs and walls of many houses collapsed, forcing residents to spend sleepless nights. Areca nut plantations in Renjala and Nandalike have also suffered extensive losses.

Rainfall records show Hebri received 10.5 mm and Karkala 60.9 mm in the 24 hours prior to 8:30 am on Tuesday.