JOIN USThe flood in Bhagamandala for the last six days has caused severe inconvenience to the local residents.
There is four-foot water on Madikeri-Bhagamandala Road. As a result, the movement of buses and autorickshaws have been suspended.
Rafting boats are used to ferry local residents and devotees on the waterlogged Bhagamandala-Ayyangeri Road.
The residents of Chettimani, Cherambane, and Tannimani have been affected by the flood.
The residents have to cross the flood water even to reach a hospital in case of emergency.
Food grains cannot be taken home when it floods Bhagamandala. The only solution to the flood is an overbridge, feel the residents.
Work yet to commence
The government had sanctioned funds to construct an overbridge to connect Talacauvery-Bhagamandala. Even tender was called for the same.
Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also laid the foundation for the overbridge. Owing to opposition from a few residents, the work could not be taken up.
A few even argue that the overbridge would affect the Bhagandeshwara Temple. Locals have demanded that the work on the overbridge should be completed by next monsoon.
Bhagamandala GP member Purushotham said, “The work on the overbridge should not stop. A few are engaged in politics for self-interest. None listen to our woes during monsoon. The district administration makes arrangement for boats to ferry the residents. The shopkeepers have had no business for the last one week. How will they make a living?” he asked.
“The overbridge was sanctioned when K J George was the district in-charge minister. A few miscreants are opposing the overbridge work. Eight school buses pass through the area daily. When it floods, the schoolchildren cannot go to school,” said Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike leader Kudukuli Bharat.
Paddy fields
Thousands of acres of paddy fields in Srimangala, T Shettigeri, Harihara, Balyamandoor, Kanooru, Kottageri, Balele, Nittur have been flooded.
Water is inching towards the newly built bridge between Balele and Nittur. Water from the river is flowing on the road at Chikkamandooru, Ballyamandooru and Kanooru.
Rain played spoilsport on Wednesday for the shandy market in Virajpet. The sellers faced inconvenience. Owing to the continuous rainfall, business was dull, said merchants.
The water-level in the River Cauvery has increased drastically at Bhethri. The water from Kadanoor stream had entered paddy fields.
The roads were waterlogged due to unscientific stormwater drains at Aloorusiddapura, Malambi, Mulluru, Gopalapura, Gudugalale.
In the last 24 hours (ending 8.30 am), the district received an average of 87.30 mm rainfall. Madikeri taluk received the highest rainfall—110.66 mm followed by Somwarpet taluk—92.85 mm and Virajpet taluk—58.40 mm.