After a lull, rains lash Malnad region

Bhagamandala, a pilgrim centre in Kodagu, records highest rainfall of 260 mm in 24 hours

September 05, 2019 10:18 pm | Updated 10:18 pm IST - MYSURU/HASSAN/CHIKKAMAGALUR

Landslip near Korangala in Bhagamandala in Kodagu on Thursday following heavy rains.

Landslip near Korangala in Bhagamandala in Kodagu on Thursday following heavy rains.

After a brief lull, monsoon is active again in south interior Karnataka with Kodagu, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru districts witnessing heavy downpour since Wednesday, raising fears of another deluge.

Torrential showers have been hammering Kodagu with heavy to very-heavy rains recorded at most places. Bhagamandala, a pilgrim centre, recorded highest rainfall of 260 mm in 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Thursday. Heavy rains pounded Talacauvery, the birthplace of Cauvery River.

Schools and colleges remained closed on Thursday with the district administration declaring holiday as safety measure with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rains and issuing “red alert” for the district. The district administration had requested the people to be on alert and seek its assistance in case of emergency.

In the last 24 hours, Kodagu recorded an average of 99.16 mm rainfall. Other places that recorded heavy rains include Madikeri 115.60 mm; Sampaje 135.40 mm; Napoklu 127.20 mm; Ponnampet 143.40 mm and Shanthalli 153 mm rain. The water level at Bethri near Murnad has risen substantially.

Landslips have been reported on Gaalibeedu-Paati-Kaloor Road and traffic, barring light motor vehicles, have been banned until further orders. With heavy rains lashing its catchment areas, the inflow into Harangi dam has been on the rise since Wednesday. The outflow from the dam, which was at the rate of 15,000 cusecs on Wednesday night, was reduced to 6,522 cusecs on Thursday. Traffic between Bhagamandala and Napoklu was affected as the road linking the towns was inundated from the brimful Cauvery. Unconfirmed reports said a house at Moowattokalu in Somawarapet taluk and another house in Jodupala in Madikeri taluk suffered damages in heavy rains.

Several parts of Chikkamagaluru and Hassan districts have been receiving moderate to heavy rains in the last two days. The people, who were affected by the recent landslips caused due to heavy rains in August, are worried about their safety once again.

Heavy rains also lashed parts of Koppa, Mudigere, Sringeri, N.R. Pura, and Chikkamagaluru taluks. Villages Alekhan Horatti, Malemane, Madhugundi, Balur were also affected by heavy rains.

Relief centres

Residents of Madhugundi, affected by the floods and landslips, are still at the relief centre in Bidarahalli. They have told the district administration that they would not return to their village as they are worried about their safety.

Poornesh, a teacher at Banakal, told The Hindu that the villages around Banakal and Kottigehara received heavy rains on Wednesday night. “People are worried that the estates, which were damaged by the rains last month, would suffer further damage,” he said. Many roads are flooded and rivers Tunga, Bhadra and Hemavathi are flowing in spate.

Similarly, in Hassan, parts of Sakleshpur, Alur and Hassan received heavy rains. Sakleshpur received 65.6 mm of rainfall on Wednesday.

Following rains in the catchment area, the inflow to Hemavathi reservoir at Goruru has increased. Water level is close to the maximum level of 2,922 ft, forcing dam authorities to increase the outflow. The water level in the reservoir stood at 2,921.52 ft on Thursday morning.

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