JOIN USHeavy rain claimed the life of an elderly man, submerged bridges and agricultural lands and damaged properties in the State on Thursday.
Rain continued to batter especially the Kodagu and Uttara Kannada district and North Karnataka, throwing life out of gear in the regions.
Tulasu Masti Gowda (57) of Haldipur in Honnavar taluk was crossing an overflowing water body when he was washed away. He was walking on an electricity pole laid across it as a makeshift bridge and lost his balance, said sources.
Besides, stormy thundershowers razed to the ground a portion of a house belonging to Satu Govinda Gowda in Kelaginur.
Flood threat in UK dist
Rain that lashed the district over the past four days has caused fears of flooding in Sirsi and Karwar taluks.
On Thursday, over 800 acres of paddy fields in Sirsi taluk were submerged in the overflowing Varada waters. Roads and bridges have been washed away, severing links to several remote villages.
The fear of flood is looming large over villages in the Kali downstream, as the water level in Kadra, Kodasalli, Supa and Linganamakki reservoirs has increased alarmingly.
Bridges under water
In Belgaum, River Krishna and its tributaries Vedganga and Doodhganga have swollen due to heavy rain in the catchment areas. Besides, 2.50 lakh cusecs of water is being released from Narayanpur dam in Maharashtra.
On Thursday, Chincholi, Shirgur-Parmanandwadi and Siddapur-Saptasaga bridges in Raibagh taluk, Shinglapur in Gokak taluk and at Sultanpur in Hukkeri taluk across the River Ghataprabha were submerged.
These losses add to the seven bridges in Chikodi taluk and the Kuduchi bridge in
Raibagh, which have already gone under water.
The situation remains especially grim in Chikodi taluk, where fields and houses along the river bank, continue to remain submerged.
Rising river waters have also led to large-scale losses of crops in farms.
Inflow into the Rajapur barrage and the Doodhganga River has increased to 1.85 lakh cusecs and outflow from Hippargi barrage was 1.73 lakh cusecs.
Residents of Bavansavadatti village in Raibagh taluk have been risking their lives trying to cross the flooded Chincholi bridge in an effort to rescue their livestock. The rising water levels are expected to maroon Bavansavadatti village.
Assistant Commissioner Rudresh Ghali and Tahsildar Shivanand Sagar visited the village and asked residents not to panic. Villagers were also apprised of preventive measures to be taken by the government to tackle the flood situation.
Holiday extended
In Kodagu, Deputy Commissioner Dr N V Prasad has ordered extension of holiday for schools and colleges for another two days. Landslides were reported in several places near Madikeri.
Increase in inflow
The water level in Linganamakki reservoir in Shimoga district stood at 1,804 ft against the maximum of 1,819 ft and the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited has said that people residing on the banks of the reservoir and the River Sharavati should be shifted to safer
places immediately.
Relief from drought
After a gap of two decades, the Hemavathy reservoir has filled to the brim even before the end of July. It has cheered farmers in Hassan and Mandya districts, which suffered drought last year.
The water level stood at 2919.75 ft against the maximum level of 2922 ft on Thursday. All the six sluice gates were opened, after a three-year gap. The spectacular view of water gushing from the sluice gates of the reservoir has attracted tourists from nearby places. Besides, it has encouraged the authorities to resume power generation.
Hemavathy also irrigates more than 6.55 lakh acres of agricultural land.
Yagachi reservoir in Belur is also expected to be full in a fortnight, if the rain continues to batter Chikmagalur, Mudigere, Aldur, Gendehalli and KR Pet.