Mangaluru and surroundings cooled by evening thunderstorm

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 13,2016 : A thunder storm with winds brought welcome relief to people reeling under heat wave conditions, hope seems on the horizon for acute water crisis in the region. May 12, Thursday 8 pm and it was a welcome scene.

The summer rain may have trapped many returning home from work but all seemed glad to see the showers.  The spell of rain lasted about 45 minutes, but hope and blessings were the joy of the people. Many wards in the city are being supplied water once in three or four days or more too.

Reports say that some other parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi also received rainfall in the evening. Rain lashed Ujire, Puttur, Karkala,  Moodbidri, Panja, Valalambe, Balila, Kedila, Savanur and Mani and nearby areas.

An official of the MCC Mangaluru City Corporation said that some catchment areas of the Netravathi getting rain so far has not helped increase water storage at the Thumbe vented dam that supplies water to the city. The water-level at the dam stood more or less at 4 ft against the maximum level of 13 ft.

The official said that the water-level in the dam went up by an inch at least Thursday. It was after the officials cleared the stagnant water at Jakribettu near Bantwal. Heavy earthmoving equipment from MRPL was utilised.

The official said that the corporation would pump water from the dam.  Water could be pumped till the level depleted to 3 ft or 3.5 ft. The corporation would take a call on lifting water further down depending on the inflow in the river. If the catchment areas of the Netravathi received rain for two more days, farmers would temporarily stop pumping water from the Netravathi and its tributaries. It would help in resuming inflow in the Netravathi. Thus, Thumbe dam might get some water.

Puttur recorded 41 mm rain in 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. on may 12, Thursday. Sullia recorded 17.4 mm and Kadaba 6.2 mm rain during the same period. Man lives on hope for the day.