Mangaluru and adjoining regions in coastal Karnataka have been significantly impacted by unrelenting monsoon showers that triggered landslips and flooding, bringing parts of Dakshina Kannada district to a virtual standstill. Overnight rains on July 16 led to multiple blockages along the Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway and near the Mangaluru International Airport, creating a ripple effect on mobility and access to critical services.
The Mangaluru-Bengaluru NH-75 witnessed a landslip near Mannagundi in Kadaba taluk, obstructing traffic on the arterial route. Emergency personnel were deployed to clear the debris, with limited vehicular movement restored by mid-morning on July 17. However, officials advised commuters to use alternate routes while the remaining clearance efforts progressed. Access to the Mangaluru International Airport was also disrupted as mud and debris from nearby slopes engulfed the main approach road near the welcome arch. Authorities from the airport and the fire services were engaged in swift mitigation to resume normal traffic. A separate incident near Moodukere further hampered access on the Adyapady-Kaikamba stretch, forcing diversion of airport-bound traffic.
Further inside the city, the road connecting Bejai Circuit House and Kadri Temple Road junction was partially blocked due to another landslip. Although one lane remained operational, emergency response teams were engaged in debris removal to restore full traffic capacity. The city police also used digital community platforms to alert residents and commuters, recommending detours for those heading to key landmarks such as the KSRTC bus stand and Kadri Temple. Floodwaters inundated several residential and commercial zones, with reports of water-logging off the Jeppu Kudpady-Jeppinamogaru Road. Basement areas of business establishments in Kottara Chowki also suffered flooding, disrupting routine operations. According to district officials, efforts are being intensified in coordination with disaster management authorities to provide temporary drainage and assess structural damage.
Rainfall data highlighted the extent of the deluge, with Surathkal recording 296.6 mm in 24 hours—the highest in Karnataka. Other severely affected areas include Hejamady and Tenka in Udupi district, with rainfall crossing the 270 mm mark, followed by heavy precipitation across Bala, Kotekar, and Mangaluru-B sectors. Officials from the state weather department and district administration have acknowledged the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region, attributing them to climate change impacts. Plans are underway to bolster slope protection measures and improve early-warning infrastructure for both landslip-prone zones and flood-vulnerable urban pockets.
While emergency teams work round-the-clock, this latest episode underscores the urgent need for sustainable urban drainage systems and resilient infrastructure planning to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and connectivity in Karnataka’s rain-exposed coastal districts.
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