Monsoon fury in Kodagu: Cracks appear on highway

Heavy rains with gusty winds lashed Kodagu district on Friday too. The water levels in the rivers rose sharply. The asphalted road on the Mysuru-Bantwal national highway (NH-275) route has cracked in many places up to a length of over 50 metres.

The threat of major landslides on the route is imminent. Police have set up barricades at vulnerable spots as a warning to motorists.

There are major traffic snarls and the movement of vehicles has slowed down. Dozens of vehicles are inching through the jam. Police are actively considering closing down the highway if the situation gets worse.

After Shiradi ghat was shut down, this route (NH-275) has seen a sharp increase in traffic, as it is an alternative route to the closed ghat. The road is obviously unable to bear the pressure of additional traffic and has given way.

Monsoon fury lashed Bhagamandala, Napoklu, Tala Cauvery and Madikeri on Thursday night. The water level in Triveni Sangama at Bhagamandala has not receded.

Agricultural activities have come to halt as paddy fields are water-logged. Many trees have fallen on electric cables due to gusty winds and electricity supply to many places are disrupted. Somawarapet taluk is the worst affected.

In the last 24 hours, Shantalli, Bhagamandala, Sampaje and Madikeri have received 175 mm; 153 mm; 101 mm and 75 mm of rain respectively.