Heavy rainfall in Kodagu, Cauvery in spate

By K.Jeevan Chinnappa

BALAMURI (KODAGU DT.), AUG. 26. Copious rainfall throughout Kodagu District continued on Saturday and the Cauvery was in spate at several places. At least, 10 feet of water is flowing above the old bridge here. A mechanised boat is being operated by Home Guard personnel to ferry people. One more boat has been kept as a stand-by.

Submergence of the Balamuri Bridge has cut off road links between Murnad and Hoddur, and Kirundadu, Bollumadu, Kadanga and Cheyyandane. Mr. M.A.Belliappa, Home Guard unit officer, who is operating the mechanised boat here for the last six days, said that on an average, 250 people were being ferried from one end to the other every day. The number was higher during shandy day at Murnad.

The Murnad-Napoklu Road is under water at Bolibane snapping the road link with Napoklu. Vast areas of paddy fields are under flood water here. Vast stretches of roads have been damaged in the rain. Gaping potholes at many places "invite" vehicles at many places. All the brooks and rivulets are overflowing due to incessant rainfall.

The strong current of the Cauvery at Dubare near Kushalnagar has proved tough for the six Home Guards personnel operating a mechanised boat and a country boat. Most of the people who stay across the river are tribal people. One of the Home Guards told THE HINDU that he was engaged in the operations at Dubare for the last 69 days. Inundation of paddy fields and low-lying roads are common throughout. The awful Siddapura-Dubare Road has become a traveller's nightmare.

Large quantities of water have been let out of the Chiklihole Dam near Kodagarahalli. The dam's backwaters have submerged vast areas. Revenue personnel are keeping a vigil at Karadigod near Siddapur as the Cauvery is rising. Residents of low-lying areas may be shifted to the rehabilitation centre if there is a flood. Some paddy fields at Nellihudikeri are lying under water.

The Somwarpet taluk revenue authorities have sent a report to the Deputy Commissioner on the extent of loss due to house collapse and washing away of paddy seedlings in the rain.

No fresh incidents were reported from Madikeri taluk and Virajpet taluk, revenue sources confirmed.

Trees were uprooted and branches collapsed at several places. However, they were removed in time and cleared for vehicular traffic. Heavy rain lashed Virajpet town at the time of filing this report. As a result, paddy fields at many places, particularly in Kadnur, were inundated by the Kadnur river water.

Chill weather prevailed in Madikeri town, and the surrounding areas were covered by a thick fog. Roads in the town have been damaged due to heavy rainfall.

While Bhagamandala recorded 146.4 mm, Somwarpet recorded 102.8 mm. rainfall. Madikeri was next with 79.8 mm. followed by Virajpet with 50 mm. The total rainfall in Madikeri and Somwarpet exceeded the rainfall received in the corresponding period last year. Madikeri, since January 1 till 8 a.m. on August 26, recorded 2,727.9 mm. of rainfall (2,607.6 mm. last year) while Somwarpet recorded 1,779 mm. (1,743.5 mm.). Bhagamandala so far received 4,093 mm. of rainfall (4,761.2 mm.) and Virajpet 1,647.7 mm. (1,796.1 mm. last year).

The water gushing out of the Harangi Reservoir is a bewitching sight as all the four crest gates have been opened to let out water into the river downstream. The Harangi catchment area received just 15 mm. rainfall in the last 24 hours, yet there was good inflow, which was recorded at 14,809 cusecs. The outflow was put at 13,328 cusecs. The water level on Saturday was 2,858.25 feet against the maximum of 2,859 feet.

Our Mangalore Staff Correspondent reports: Heavy rains lashed the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada for the last couple of days. There was a sharp rise in the water levels of most rivers in the district. The water level in the Netravathi, rose to 6.8 metres from the normal level of four meters in the early hours of Saturday. Several low-lying areas in Mangalore city and outskirts were inundated with water causing inconvenience to the people. Police sources said no untoward incidents were reported.

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