Mangaluru: Coast reels under heavy rains

Mangaluru: Several areas of Mangaluru  were flooded as heavy rain lashed the city on Friday. With  meteorological department warning more rain, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has declared a holiday for   schools and PU colleges on Saturday.  The flooding in Mangaluru city was caused by overflowing storm water drains in Kottara Chowki. Besides the national highway, several areas around Kottara Chowki and Malemar were flooded, disrupting traffic.

The  police diverted traffic to less flooded routes to deal with the chaos. The flood receded by the evening with the rain decreasing in intensity by afternoon and  officials of the local authorities swinging into action  to clear the storm water drains. 

Deputy Commissioner, Sesikanth Senthil blamed the flooding on blocked storm water drains.  “They were blocked by some coconut trees. We have cleared them,” he said, when contacted. There was heavy rain and flooding in other parts of the district too on Friday, but there were no reports of accidents or casualties.