Tungabhadra canal breaches, crops worth lakhs damaged

Paddy crops in 300 acres completely destroyed

Crops worth lakhs of rupees were washed away following a breach in the Tungabhadra right bank canal at the lower end, between Moka and Bhairadevanahalli villages in Bellary taluk, in the early hours of Thursday. 

The flood waters created a huge crater on the right side, near the 120.5 km mark of the canal, leaving at least 150 acres of land inundated by water and palm trees in the fields completely damaged.

The sluice gates at the 115th km of the canal were opened to let the water into the river. Due to this, about 300 acres of paddy crops were completely destroyed.

Secretary Ranga Reddy, executive engineer Nayak and other officials of the Tungabhadra Board visited the spot. Measures have been taken to control the flow of water. Once the flow stops, repair works will be taken up, officials said.

The farmers whose crops have been damaged have demanded compensation from the government.

Rainfall in Mysore

Mysore district received scattered rainfall on Thursday.

While the rainfall in Mysore city was 0.5 mm, it was negligible in the district as a whole. Mandya received rainfall ranging from 9.5 mm to 74 mm. Maddur taluk too received good rainfall. There was isolated rainfall, up to 16 mm, in Hassan district. The highest was in Shantigrama hobli.