Heavy rain wreaks havoc in Udupi district; Several areas flooded, properties damaged
Udupi, June 16: Udupi district, particularly the Byndoor and Kundapur taluks, witnessed continuous heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, leading to widespread waterlogging and damage. However, rains eased slightly by Sunday afternoon, bringing some relief and reducing the fear of further flooding. Despite the break, rivers across the district are flowing at full capacity, submerging low-lying areas.
From 8:30 AM on Saturday to 8:30 AM on Sunday, Byndoor and Kundapur taluks recorded 21 cm of rainfall each. The remaining five taluks received between 11 and 13 cm, with the district-wide average rainfall standing at 16.2 cm.
Due to intense downpours in the foothills of the Western Ghats in Kundapur and Byndoor taluks, rivers overflowed and floodwater entered residential areas. In Byndoor taluk alone, 11 people from the villages of Kambadakone (5), Bijur (3), and Herur (3) had to be relocated. According to the District Disaster Management Centre, these individuals have taken shelter with relatives and none have opted for the government-run relief centres.
Over 30 houses suffered damages due to persistent rain and strong winds during the day, with estimated losses exceeding Rs 10 lakh. The damages were reported from Udupi (1 case), Kundapur (13), Byndoor (2), Kaup (4), Karkala (3), and Brahmavar (4), according to a statement from the district administration.
In Shirur, Byndoor taluk, a tree fell on the house of Nagappa Mogaveera, causing damages estimated at over Rs 2 lakh. In Marli, Byndoor, another house partially collapsed due to the heavy rain, with losses exceeding Rs 1 lakh.
In Shirva, Kaup taluk, the house of Gulabi Safaliga suffered damage due to rain, incurring over Rs 1 lakh in losses. In Kundapur Kasaba, Devuraya Sherigar’s home was damaged with an estimated loss of Rs 80,000, while Girija Poojarthi’s house in Kumbashi faced losses around Rs 60,000. In Bola, Karkala taluk, a tree fell on the house of Doddanna Poojari, causing damage worth approximately Rs 50,000.
In Senapura (Kundapur) and Aajri, cattle sheds belonging to Neelu Poojari and Durga Kulal were severely damaged. Across the district, many houses have suffered losses ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 30,000.
More Rain Forecast for Coastal Karnataka
The India Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall warning for coastal Karnataka districts, including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada, for the next two days (June 17 and 18). Winds are expected to blow at speeds of 40–50 kmph. The weather is expected to ease with moderate rainfall from June 19 onwards.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
First in Malayalam movie artists association history, women elected to its top leadership
Kochi, Aug 15 (PTI): In a first in the history of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), women were elected to its top leadership positions.
Women actors Shwetha Menon and Kukku Parameswaran were elected as president and general secretary of the organisation respectively. Besides them, Ansiba Hasan was elected as joint secretary and Lakshmi Priya as the vice president.
State Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian welcomed the development, saying it was his personal view that women should come to the leadership posts of AMMA.
"I say this because it is necessary to create more opportunities for women in the film industry. It is for the first time that women are being elected to the leadership positions of AMMA," he said.
The minister congratulated Menon, Parameswaran and Hasan, saying that they were all competent and strong women.
"Let them all work together. I see it as evidence of the continuation of the changes brought about in the film industry following the recently held cinema conclave," Cherian said.
He also said that it was an indication of the good times that will come for the Malayalam film industry.
"I am not saying men are bad. For so long men were heading it. Let women rule come now," he added.
