Heavy rains lash Mangaluru

Heavy rains lashed the city and
surrounding coastal areas here accompanied by thunder and lightning throughout the day today.
Officials at the meteorological department described it as pre-monsoon showers. The monsoon was expected to reach the coast only on June 9, the sources said.
The sky was cloudy since morning and heavy downpour followed soon after, giving respite to people from the scorching heat felt in the city for the last few days.
The Met sources have forecast rains for the next five days before the actual onset of monsoon in the region.
Besides Mangaluru, heavy rains have been reported from the neighbouring areas of Dharmasthala, Moodbidri, Puttur, Shiradi, Bhatkal, Udupi, and Sullia.

Meanwhile, two Mangaluru-bound flights were diverted to Kozhikode this afternoon due to poor visibility.
A Jet Airways flight from Abu Dhabi which was scheduled to land at 1.45 pm and an Air India Express flight from Muscat which was to arrive here at 2 pm were diverted, airport sources said.