About 2,500 people from low lying areas were shifted to safer places after their houses were flooded with rain water on Sunday.
Udupi district has been experiencing heavy rain since the last few days. The rain further increased on Saturday evening flooding various villages in Udupi, Brahmavar, Kapu and Karkala Taluks.
As the water levels increased in Swarna and other rivers at night, the district administration along with volunteers started shifting people during the early hours on Sunday.
Places like Moodanidamboor, Alevoor, Korangrapady, Udyavara, Manipura, Padu, Palimaru, Kote, Mattu, Enagudde, Moodabettu, Uppuru, Havanje, Neelavara, Erlapady, Marne and Sooda were the worst affected.
Due to the increase in water levels in Indrani rivulet, places like Kalsanka, Bailakere, Kunjibettu were flooded. The parking area of Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt too was flooded submerging many vehicles.
Water entered nearby shops and houses and also near Rajangana and Gita Mandir. Traffic was stopped on NH 169 A due to flood at Kalsanka. Vehicle movement on the main road between Manipal and Udupi was affected. According to officials 1,406 people were shifted to safer places in Udupi taluk, 1,160 in Kapu, 223 in Brahmavar and 85 in Karkala Taluk.
As many as 31 relief camps have been opened where 1,201 have taken accommodation. Water entered about 1,107 houses and 24 houses were damaged partially or completely. As the Puthige Mutt near Hiriyadka was flooded, about 300 cattle were moved to safer places.
Officials said that the Baje dam that provides water to Udupi City was flooded and water pumping stopped. For the first time it recorded 10.5 mtr water.
The government mobilized the NDRF teams from Mysuru and Mangaluru who headed the rescue operation. MLA Raghupathi Bhat, Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesh, Additional DC Sadashiva Prabhu visited the spot and directed the volunteers and officials in the rescue operation.
While Udupi taluk recorded 399 mm rainfall, Kapu recorded 296 and Karkala had 293 mm rainfall. "We have shifted about 2,500 people of 700 families in the district. We request those living on the river banks and on the islands to immediately shift to safer places as there is alert of high rainfall," Udupi DC G Jagadeesha said.
"Rescue operations will be difficult at night. So we request people not to take risks. We have set up temporary rehabilitation centers in various places and are providing food and shelter there. People can have shelter here," he added.
Neighbouring Dakshina Kannada too experienced heavy rain. A concrete road was completely damaged at Neermarga. Due to the landslide, mud fell on the road at Adyapady. Eight houses were completely damaged and 12 partially in Mangaluru Taluk. In Bantwal 1 house was completely damaged and two partially. In Kadaba taluk two houses were partially damaged.
As Mulky and nearby areas were flooded, 27 people have been moved to two temporary shelters.
