Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 18: The climate in the coast on Wednesday November 17 reflected the one during the rainy season with sporadic rains, lightning and thunder showing no respite. The city, Bantwal, Subrahmanya and several places received good rains in the evening and night. Udupi and Karkala taluks too were soaked in rain. Beltangady, Kateel etc., received less rains in comparison.

As heavy rains lashed Bantwal taluk since 3 pm, vehicles were forced to move with their headlights on. The rains also created problems for Bakrid festivities. Overflowing drains added to the problems of road users.

Kasargod district also received heavy rains coupled with thunder and lightning, and electric and electronic equipments in several homes were damaged.

Power supply got severed to several regions in Sullia and Puttur taluks. A number of electric poles were uprooted in Bantwal taluk, while a couple of transformers were damaged. Severed cables also contributed to the power woes. The telecom department said that over 800 landline connections suffered problems due to rains and lightning. The employees of the department are busy restoring the connections. BSNL and Airtel towers in Alike were hit by lightning, leaving the mobile phones served by these towers dead. A few coconut trees in Vidyagiri were burnt down due to lightning. Taniappa Poojary (50), and his wife, Sarojini, from Darbekody in Sajipapadu village in Bantwal taluk were injured due to lightning.

The meteorological department has warned of the possibility of good rains measuring up to 65 mm, along with lightning and thunder, visiting coastal Karnataka during the next two days.