Flood threat looms large as rivers continue to swell

Rains continued to ravage most districts in the State on Wednesday. There has been a steady increase in reservoir levels as rivers swell, heightening the threat of floods.

Shimoga

The monsoon has intensified in the district, especially in Teerthahalli taluk. A tree was uprooted on the Shimoga-Teerthahalli road, hampering movement of vehicles on the stretch.

There have been reports of heavy rain in Hosanagar, Sagar and Sorab taluks as well. While the inflow into the reservoirs have doubled, lakes, tanks and other water bodies are overflowing.

The rivers Tunga, Malathi and Kushavathi are flowing above the danger mark.

The inflow into the Linganamakki reservoir stood at 26,547 cusecs on Wednesday and the water level was recorded at 1763.95 feet. The rainfall in the reservoir’s catchment areas was 69.4 mm.

The water level rose to 1763.95 feet in Linganamakki dam and the inflow was 26,547 cusecs of water.

With incessant rains in the catchment areas of Chikmagalur district, the water level in the Bhadra dam rose by three feet in a single day.

The inflow was recorded at 17,462 cusecs.

The Tunga river was flowing at danger mark, thanks to uninterrupted rain in Teerthahalli taluk. The outflow from the Tunga reservoir was 45,000 cusecs.

Coastal districts

While Dakshina Kannada district continued to receive good rainfall, Udupi witnessed moderate showers. The rainfall was on the decline in Chikmagalur district.

Man washed away

A 38-year-old man was washed away while crossing the river at Maranakatte in Kollur of Kundapur taluk in Udupi district. The deceased is identified as Ramesh alias Chikka Poojary. A case is registered at Kollur police station.

Low inflow to Almatti

The Almatti reservoir in Bijapur saw a decline in inflow of water. While it was 8,975 cusecs on Tuesday, it stood at 6,162 cusecs on Wednesday. The North Karnataka districts received scattered rainfall.

KRS level rises

The inflow into the KRS reservoir is witnessing a constant rise. On Wednesday, it stood at 16,695 cusecs, up from 4,325 cusecs on Tuesday. The water level rose by 2.5 feet in a single day and was recorded at 82.70 feet on Wednesday. The level on the corresponding day last year was 73.85 feet. 

The Kabini dam in H D Kote taluk of Mysore district is just four feet from reaching the maximum level of 2,284 feet, thanks to huge inflow following heavy rain in Wayanad of Kerala and the Nagarahole National Park. It stood at 2,280 feet on Wednesday. A total of 35,000 cusecs is being released to Tamil Nadu from the reservoir.

Villages turn into islands in Kodagu

Rains have turned villages in Kodagu district virtually into a bunch of small islands, with rivers in spate and road connectivity severed.

The district registered 180.4 mm of rain till Wednesday morning. Though the rain subsided in some parts of the district including Karadigudda near Siddapur and Cheriyaperambu near Napoklu, the skies opened up in Ponnampet, Balele, Kodlipet, Somwarpet and Virajpet.

Inflow into the rivers increased steadily. Streams too are overflowing, submerging roads and bridges, fields and farms. The Bhagamandala-Napoklu stretch and Bhagamandala-Madikeri road are three feet under water. River Lakshmanateertha is flowing two feet above the bridge, forcing vehicles to take the alternative route via Kanur.

Boats and ferries, equipped with divers and Home Guards, are being pressed into service to ensure link between Bhagamandala and Madikeri. Residents have been shifted to safety in Virajpet taluk. Since Tuesday, ten houses were damaged across the district. Educational institutions will remain closed on Thursday, too.