Rain subsides in coastal Karnataka, death toll rises to 12

Bangalore, May 31 (UNI) Torrential rains that battered the coastal districts of Karnataka since Sunday subsided to a large extent today, even as the death toll in rain-related incidents rose to 12 with two more bodies of the six fishermen feared drowned off Udupi coast being washed ashore.

With the recovery of two bodies today and another two on Monday, the fate of the other two fishermen was still unknown. The six fishermen had set sail in four boats on Sunday from the Malpe fishing harbour near Udupi and the boats had capsized mid-sea due to gusty winds and rough sea.

The casualties were reported from Udupi district (five, including four fishermen), Dakshina Kannada (three), Dharwad (three) and Belgaum (one).

Rains that wreaked havoc in the coastal districts yesterday, causing heavy damages in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, besides Belgaum and Dharwad, subsided today.

Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada recorded the heaviest rainfall of 20 cm, followed by Shirali and Bhagamandala (18 each), Gerusoppa (17) and Honnavar (14).

Karwar had received a record 44 cm of rain on Monday, the heaviest recorded in the coastal town in the last 45 years.

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