Monsoon picks up pace in coastal, Malnad areas in Karnataka

Holiday for schools in Kodagu; water level rises in reservoirs

The monsoon intensified in the coastal and Malnad regions on Wednesday, much to the joy of the farming community. However, the rains also left a trail of destruction.

As heavy rains lashed Kodagu, the Triveni Sangama in Bhagamandala has been inundated. The district administration has declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Thursday. The road connecting Madikeri and Talacauvery remained cut off till 10 am on Wednesday. With the flooding of Bhagamandala-Ayyangeri road, the residents are using boats to move around. The water-level in Harangi reservoir stood at 2,824.54 feet, while the inflow was 1,895 cusecs.

With heavy rain pounding Kodagu, Hassan districts and Cauvery River catchment areas, there was an increase in the inflow into the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) reservoir on Wednesday.

The inflow, which was 1,510 cusecs on Tuesday, increased to 7,126 cusecs on Wednesday. The outflow is 1,597 cusecs. With the maximum level of the dam being 124.8 ft, the water level on Wednesday was 69.65 ft. However, it is no match for the rains last year during this corresponding period. On June 29 last year, the inflow was 33,287 cusecs and the water level was 104.60 ft.

Meanwhile, Kabini reservoir saw inflow of 18,000 cusecs on Wednesday and water level in the dam increased by eight feet on a single day. It increased from 2,247 ft, to 2,255 ft.
Officials said, there are all signs of the dam reaching its maximum level in July. The rise in the inflow into the dam is due to heavy rains in Wayanad region of Kerala and Kabini backwaters.

Mysuru city experienced intermittent rain throughout the day, Hassan district received a good spell of rain since two days. Water level in the Hemavathy reservoir stood at 2,866 ft against its maximum level of 2922 ft. The inflow was 4,440 cusecs and outflow 125 cusecs.

Most of the taluks in Mandya district received moderate rain since morning. Chamarajanagar city and surrounding region experienced light showers for a few minutes.

Heavy rains lashed Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasargod, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru on Wednesday. Several houses have been damaged and trees uprooted.

With the increase in water level in Kumaradhara river, the bathing ghat at Kukke Subrahmanya has been inundated. Sea erosion in Ullal, Ucchila, Malpe, Thottam, Hoode, Padukere has intensified.

In Chikkamagaluru district, Rivers Tunga and Bhadra are flowing to the brim. Mudigere, Koppa, Sringeri and Chikkamagaluru have experienced incessant rains. With the uprooting of electricity poles and trees, power supply has been disrupted in several villages.

In Shivamogga district, water level in Mani dam in Hosanagar taluk rose to 574.10 metre against maximum level of 594 metre as catchment areas received heavy rain. Following the copious rain in catchment area of Linganamakki dam over the last two days, water level in the reservoir rose by two feet. The Mandagadde bird sanctuary faces the prospect of being submerged.

Following the release of water from Tunga dam, water level in River Tunga in Shivamogga city witnessed sudden rise. Major rivers and streams in Thirthahalli taluk are in spate. In Agumbe, the river Malathi is flowing above danger level.

Several parts of Belagavi district, particularly Belagavi city and surrounding areas, continued to receive frequent drizzles in the past 48 hours.

Belagavi and Khanapur received heavy rains. Rains continued to lash Uttara Kannada district, a huge tree was uprooted on National Highway 66, holding up the traffic for an hour.

A small hillock collapsed at Aligadda of the district, where a four-lane road is being constructed. Showers lashed Bagalkot city, besides other towns in the district.