Rivers in spate as heavy rains pound Malnad districts

Heavy rains continued to lash Malnad region on Saturday, disrupting farming activities.

Thirthahalli and Hosanagara in Shivamogga district continued to receive heavy rains. The rivers in Thirthahalli taluk - the Tunga, the Malathi and the Kushavati - are in full spate. Agumbe, Naluru, Megaravalli, Honnetalau, Kendalabailu, Thirthahalli and the surrounding places are recieving heavy rains over the last two days.

Paddy seedlings have submerged in Agumbe region due to copious rains. Shivamogga, Bhadravathi, Sagara, Shikaripura received moderate to heavy rains intermittently.

Low-lying areas of Bhadravathi town such as Kavalagundi, Gundu Rao and Ekinshaw colonies, which witnessed flood-like situation, returned to normal as discharge from the Bhadra dam decreased.

Vehicular movement on the new bridge near KSRTC bus stand was banned for two days since August 9 as water flew over the bridge following huge discharge of water from the Bhadra dam.

In Chikkamagaluru district, heavy rain pounded Mudigere taluk. After a week’s break, the rain gained momentum since Thursday night and kept the people indoors.
The rain has affected farming activities. Coffee growers are fearing losing the crops due to inclement weather.

The Arabica and Robasta coffee beans have already started withering. Majority of the coffee estates have declared holiday for labourers due to downpour.

The Hemavathi river in the taluk has reached the brim. Water from the river has marooned paddy fields situated on its banks. Transplantation of paddy seedlings has been affected.

Meanwhile, the police has cautioned the tourists on increase in water-level in rivers and at Alekhan Falls and other small waterfalls on Charmadi Ghat area.

Drowned

Meanwhile, Susheela (48) accidentally slipped into a stream and drowned at Devalekoppa in Begar Gram Panchayat of Sringeri taluk.

As rain receded across Kodagu district on Saturday, farming activities have resumed. Following heavy rain on Friday night, the river Lakshamanatheertha is overflowing at Srimangala, Kutta, Hudikeri and Ponnampete. Napoklu, Bhagamandala and Talacauvery experienced light shower. The water level at Triveni Sangama has declined.
Two persons suffered injuries when the roof of a house collapsed at Aigooru in Somwarpet taluk. Dakshina Kannada too experienced light showers on Saturday. Though it rained heavily on Friday night, the rain has now receded. The waterlevel in rivers and rivulets have started declining.

In the last 24 hours, district received an average of 76.2 mm rain. Water level in the river Nethravathi stood at 5.9 metres in Bantwal while it was 22.5 metres in Uppinangady.

Kalaburagi received rain for two hours in the evening.