Heavy rain forces holiday for schools, colleges in Dakshina Kannada

Mangaluru ; In view of incessant rainfall across Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner H.V. Darshan on Sunday declared a holiday for educational institutions in several parts of the district on Monday as a precautionary measure. The order covers anganwadis, schools and colleges in selected taluks, with the extent of the closure varying between the Mangaluru and Puttur subdivisions.

According to the district administration, all anganwadi centres, government, aided and private primary and high schools up to Class 10, including residential schools, will remain closed in Mangaluru, Bantwal, Moodbidri, Mulki and Ullal taluks.

In the Puttur subdivision, comprising Puttur, Belthangady, Sullia and Kadaba taluks, the holiday has been extended to anganwadis, primary and high schools, pre-university colleges, ITIs and diploma colleges, including all residential educational institutions.

The Deputy Commissioner also issued a series of public advisories in view of the heavy rain. Parents have been urged to ensure children stay away from rivers, lakes, waterlogged areas and seashores. Fishermen have been directed not to venture into the sea, while tourists and the general public have been advised against visiting riverbanks and coastal areas.

District and taluk-level officials have been instructed to remain at their headquarters and stay prepared for any emergency arising out of the prevailing weather conditions. The administration has also activated emergency response systems and appealed to residents to contact the district helpline at 1077 or 0824-2442590 in case of any rain-related emergencies.

The district has witnessed intense rainfall over the past two days, with an average of 100.6 mm of rain recorded during the last 24 hours. According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Dakshina Kannada has received 2,485 mm of cumulative rainfall since January 1 this year, prompting authorities to remain on high alert.

Heavy rainfall has prompted the Dakshina Kannada administration to declare a holiday for schools, colleges and anganwadis in several taluks on Monday. Authorities have also advised fishermen, tourists and residents to avoid rivers and the coast as the district remains on high alert after recording over 100 mm of rainfall in 24 hours.