Mysuru: Heavy and incessant rain in South Kodagu has damaged a makeshift bridge at Thithimathi and as a result, KSRTC buses and other heavy vehicles heading towards Gonikoppal have been diverted.

Local people were forced to walk to Majjigehalla, Devamachi, and Balumane.The makeshift bridge that was built next to the new bridge that is being constructed on the Balumane rivulet near the Balumane Coffee Estate at Thithimathi caved in yesterday morning, bringing all vehicle movement to a grinding halt.

Even small vehicles could not pass the stretch as the part that had caved in was deep and there was a danger of more land collapsing due to vehicular pressure.

Kodagu District Administration swung into action and restored the bridge by last evening by filling the caved-in portion with crushed stones, cement and jelly stones. However, heavy vehicles are not being allowed on the road that is still full of slush. The rain has not relented and as such the Balumane rivulet is overflowing.

Traffic diverted

The road connects Mysuru to southern parts of Kodagu and now, the Police and Forest Department have set up barricades preventing entry of heavy vehicles. KSRTC buses from Mysuru to Virajpet, Gonikoppal, Balele, Ponnampet and Kutta have been diverted either via Gonikoppal-Pollibetta-Ghattahalla-Maldare-Periyapatna and Hunsur or Gonikoppal-Mayamudi-Balele-Karmad-Moorkal and Hunsur.

KSRTC authorities in Virajpet told Star of Mysore today that on an average over 60 buses come to South Kodagu from Bengaluru and Mysuru and as all the buses are diverted, they are reaching their destinations almost one-and-a-half hours late.

Elsewhere in Kodagu, normal life continued to be paralysed owing to heavy rain. Bhagamandala, the famous religious destination in Kodagu is inundated and yesterday, floodwater reached the steps of the Bhagandeshwara Temple. Road connectivity to Talacauvery, Napoklu and Ayyangeri has been cut off as the roads are submerged.

Tourists bound to Brahmagiri at Talacauvery have been advised not to visit the spot as heavy rain, coupled with gusty winds, is lashing the region. Boats have been arranged for ferrying devotees to the temple. Fire and Emergency Service personnel are stationed there.

Water in River Cauvery is crossing the danger mark at Bethri, Murnad, Siddapur and Kondangeri. People residing in the proximity of the river have been advised to move to safer places. The District Administration has set up several Ganji Kendras (flood relief centres) at Siddapur and Nellihudikeri.  

Inflatable boats have been deployed at Bhagamandala, Napoklu and other places to ferry people as the places are flooded due to incessant rain and overflowing rivers. Over 27 personnel from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached Kodagu and are working to salvage the situation. Deputy Commissioner P.I. Sreevidya said that they are assisting the District Administration.

NDRF teams are being sent to places including Makutta where the rain damage is high, she added. The Makutta-Virajpet Road has been blocked with more than 25 landslides.

Yesterday too, a couple of landslides have been reported in the area. Relief teams are engaging in clearing the landslides and vacating residents in low-lying areas where flood-waters have entered houses taking tree branches and fallen trees along with them.