Many parts of Hassan district have been receiving heavy rain for the last two days.
Road connectivity in several parts of Sakleshpur taluk were affected due to heavy rain and several trees fell on Thursday. Many vehicles were stuck on the Shiradi Ghat stretch of National Highway 48 following tree falls. Tree falls were also reported on the Kerodi-Yeslur road, affecting connectivity to nearly 10 villages. Many low-lying villages and roads in the taluk were flooded.
Heavy rain has worsened the condition of the pothole-ridden Shiradi Ghat stretch of the national highway. A tanker overturned near Heggadde on the stretch on Thursday.
Holiday today
Deputy Commissioner V. Anbukkumar has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Sakleshpur, Hassan, Alur, Belur and Arkalgud taluks on Friday.
The district received 39 per cent excess rainfall in July. Against the normal rainfall of 240.9 mm, the district received 335.4 mm of rainfall in July.
In the last seven months, the district received 727 mm rainfall against the normal 567.9 mm (an excess of 28 per cent).
Last year, by this time, the district had received only 353.8 mm rainfall. Except parts of Arsikere, Hassan and Belur taluks, by and large all areas in the district received more than normal rainfall in July.
Less than normal rainfall has been reported in Banavara, Gandasi and Javagal hoblis in Arsikere taluk, Halebid and Madihalli hoblis in Belur taluk and Dudda hobli in Hassan taluk.
Demand
Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Revanna, at a press conference here, demanded that the State government release Rs. 2 crore each to all taluks affected by heavy rain and release Rs. 50 crore in addition to provide relief to farmers who have lost crops.
Crop losses
Mr. Revanna said growers of potato, jowar, tobacco, cardamom and coffee would suffer losses this year owing to the downpour.
The Deputy Commissioner should submit a proposal for relief to the State government after obtaining reports on the rain damage from officials, he said.
