Mangaluru: The first spell of monsoon rains in Dakshina Kannada has exposed serious concerns over highway construction quality and urban drainage infrastructure, with a portion of National Highway 169 near Moodbidri caving in and several parts of Mangaluru city witnessing waterlogging.
The road subsidence was reported near Mejaru in Moodbidri after heavy rainfall over the past two days. Local residents alleged that the highway construction was carried out without adequate stormwater drainage arrangements, causing rainwater to accumulate and weaken the road foundation. The incident has triggered criticism of both the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the executing agency, with residents demanding immediate repairs and an inquiry into the construction quality.
Meanwhile, heavy rains on Friday and Saturday inundated several low-lying areas across Mangaluru, disrupting traffic and daily life. Waterlogging was reported from Kodialbail, Kankanady, Nanthoor, Padil, Pumpwell, Kulashekara Junction, Bunts Hostel, Kottara Chowki, Anagundi, Ambedkar Road, Kaikamba and other localities, with several stretches resembling ponds after hours of continuous rainfall.
Traffic movement was severely affected in many parts of the city. In BC Road, heaps of garbage washed down by rainwater accumulated on the national highway, creating difficulties for motorists and pedestrians alike.
The flooding also impacted industrial and commercial activities in the Baikampady Industrial Area, where water entered several premises. In Moodbidri and surrounding regions, rainwater reportedly entered houses, while incidents of compound wall collapses and uprooted trees were reported from different locations.
Officials and incident commanders deployed by the district administration rushed to affected areas, including Katipalla, Surathkal and Krishnapura Main Road, to clear blocked drains and restore the flow of stormwater. Emergency response systems activated ahead of the monsoon remained on alert as authorities monitored the situation.
Residents, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the preparedness of the Mangaluru City Corporation, alleging that inadequate desilting of drains, delayed maintenance works and poor pre-monsoon planning contributed to the flooding. They urged the authorities to implement long-term drainage solutions rather than relying on temporary measures to address recurring monsoon-related problems.