Even though the rain subsided to an extent in many parts of south-interior Karnataka on Thursday, two days of heavy rainfall continued to throw life out of gear in Kodagu and claimed one life in Chikkamagaluru district. The Tunga is flowing near the danger mark in Shivamogga.
Landslides were reported from several parts of south Kodagu, leading to closure of the highway leading to Kerala from Virajpet. A 33-year-old woman, who was injured after a tree fell on her in Chikkamagaluru on Wednesday, died in a hospital on Thursday.
In Kodagu, the skies began clearing by noon. But, normal life was hit in several parts of the district owing to uprooting of trees, flooding of areas along the rivers and lakes, submerging of roads, and roadsides caving in.
After a road connecting Kodagu with Kerala near the Perumbadi check-post caved in, the district administration closed the road for traffic. Traffic between Kodagu and Kerala was diverted via the alternative Gonikoppa-Kutta-Mananthavadi route.
The roads in Talacauvery and Bhagamandala region, which received very heavy rainfall over the last two days, remained submerged on Thursday. The water level in Triveni Sangama too had not receded till Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, the Kodagu district administration convened a meeting on Thursday and deputed a 10-member team of Home Guards to Bhagamandala for flood-relief operations. Deputy Commissioner Vincent D’Souza said the team will be provided river rafts and a boat for the time being, and additional boats will be requisitioned if necessary. Stating that gruel centres will be opened in rain and flood-hit areas, Mr. D’Souza also directed the Public Works Department to take up work on repairing of the roads near Perumbadi check-post that had caved in.
No power
Meanwhile, Shivamogga continued to receive good rain, leading to disruption of power supply in Thirthahalli taluk and in Nagara hobli in Hosanagara taluk. Power supply has not been restored to at least eight villages since the last two days. As the Tunga was flowing near the danger mark 39,314 cusecs of water was being discharged from the Gajanur reservoir.
