Mangaluru/Udupi: Relentless monsoon rains disrupted life in the coastal, central, and northern districts of Karnataka.
A landslide on National Highway 169 (NH-169) and severe urban flooding in Mangaluru underscore the state’s infrastructure vulnerabilities, while swollen rivers and crop damage signal a broader crisis, officials said on Monday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted continued heavy rainfall, raising concerns about long-term preparedness.
According to officials in Dakshina Kannada, a landslide at Kettikallu in Belthangady taluk blocked NH-169, a vital route connecting Mangaluru to interior Karnataka, on June 14.
No casualties occurred, and authorities are clearing debris, but the incident highlights recurring issues on this highway, previously been hit by landslides. Local voices criticised “unscientific” road construction, exacerbating landslide risks.
Mangaluru’s urban areas, including Pumpwell, Bikarnakatte, Kaikamba, and Kankanady, faced severe waterlogging after continuous rainfall. Poor stormwater drainage caused streets to overflow, with water inundating roads, homes, and businesses.
Residents, frustrated by the Mangaluru City Corporation’s inaction, demanded drain desilting and effective rainwater channels. Civic workers have been deployed, but emergency measures fall short.
The IMD predicted heavy to very heavy rain with winds of 40-50 kmph in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada until June 17, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall possible. An orange alert was issued for these districts, alongside Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu, while Raichur and Yadgir face thunderstorm risks.
Significant rainfall –170 mm in Mangaluru and 210 mm in Panambur in 24 hours ending June 15–disrupted normal life.
In Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru, minor landslides and tree falls occurred near Madikeri and Sringeri, and localised flooding was experienced, damaging crops and roads. In Shivamogga, the Tunga river flowed above normal levels, prompting vigilance along its banks.
The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) noted normal monsoon conditions but warned of continued heavy rain, aligning with IMD’s prediction of 110 per cent above-average rainfall for June 2025.
Rivers across Karnataka’s coastal and Malnad regions, including Tunga, Nethravati, Chakra, Maani, Kali, and Phalguni, are nearing their brim, an unusual phenomenon for early June, according to rain observers.
The IMD has predicted 110 per cent of normal rainfall this monsoon, excluding pre-monsoon showers. The South-Western monsoon, starting June 8, saw rivers swell dramatically within eight days (ending June 15, 7 pm). This intensity, rare for a typical monsoon, signals heightened flood risks.
State disaster management officials have activated control rooms and deployed National and State Disaster Response Force teams across affected districts, including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kodagu.
Schools and Anganwadis in Udupi and Kodagu were closed on June 13 and will remain shut till 17. Authorities urged residents to avoid waterlogged and landslide-prone areas.
