Mangaluru: It was so hot and humid on Wednesday night in Mangaluru, that it was bound to rain as per the law of nature. And true to form, after a long dry spell in the midst of the monsoon season, Mangalureans as well as residents of Dakshina Kannada heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday after the skies opened up in the morning bringing in the much-needed rain. It had rained in fits and starts fora fortnight before and anxiety was peaking among the farming community and residents in urban areas were concerned over the possible dwindling of drinking water sources.
The rains were copious and continous. While it began raining heavily in Mangaluru since Thursday morning, the hinterland had been receiving heavy rain since Wednesday afternoon.

The average rainfall in the district till Thursday morning was 64.7 mm as against 12.3 mm registered the same day last year. Belthangady taluk received the highest amount of rainfall on Thursday with 90.2 mm. From July 1 to July 9, the district has received an average 140.9 mm rainfall. However, as per the latest report by the India Meteorological Department, Mangaluru city received 97.2 mm rainfall till 5 p.m. on Thursday. The maximum temperature too, which had been hovering around 33 degrees Celsius since a week, came down to 25.2 degrees Celsius by Thursday evening. The minimum temperature has, however, remained at 23 degrees Celsius.

The department has forecast heavy rain for the next two days, while stating that there will be moderate rainfall thereafter till July 15.

The temperature too is expected to be pleasant with the maximum hovering between 26 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.