Two killed in Udupi as rain lashes coastal dists

Mangaluru/Udupi/Karwar: Two people have died in Udupi in the heavy rain that has continued to lash the coastal districts of the state with cyclone Kyarr intensifying over the Arabian Sea.

While  Ravindra Kulal of Santhanajaddu near Kukkehalli in Udupi died after a tree fell on him at around 8 pm, Wednesday, the body of Sulochana (43) of Kunjaru was found in  the rivulet near her house.

It is suspected that she was swept away in the flooded roads while out shopping.

Reports of houses and crops being damaged and trees and electric poles falling in the heavy rain and gusty winds have also been received from various parts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.

With the Arabian Sea turning rough, boats have returned to the fishing harbour. Going by officials, over 200 boats are anchored in the river mouth at the old port.

Taking no chances, the Uttara Kannada district  administration has shifted people living in low- lying  and flood- prone areas to temporary rehabilitation camps for their safety.

As many as 1,441 people have been shifted to 11 camps so far.

The heavy rainfall has left 128 houses  damaged  in as many as 18 villages of the district and the local authorities are keeping a close watch on the water level of the rising Kali river. Around 31,000 cusecs of water was released as a precaution from the Kadra dam.

Considering the warning issued by the meteorological department, the Udupi district administration has declared holidays  for schools and colleges as have other regions along the coast.