Mysuru: After weeks of lull, it has been raining in most parts of Kodagu, raising hopes of a normal monsoon this year. Large parts of the district, especially the Northern and Southern parts have been receiving moderate to heavy showers, feeding the Cauvery catchment areas with the much-needed moisture and water for the parched Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam in Mandya to fill. The rains have brought new hopes three weeks after the official declaration of normal monsoon. The Triveni Sangam (confluence of rivers Cauvery, Kannike and Sujyothi) at Bhagamandala — the downstream of Talacauvery where River Cauvery originates — has been submerged.

Areas including Bhagamandala, Talacauvery, Tannimani, Napoklu, Emmemadu, Nelaji, Virajpet, Heggala, Thora, Ramanagara, Byrambada, Hodavada, Murnad, Halugunda, Kandangala, Perumbadi, Bittangala, Gonikoppal, Mooteri, Ponnampet, Hysodluru, Kutta, Srimangala, Balele and other surrounding areas have been receiving good rains. Among the places where it rained heavily in a single day (yesterday) were Bhagamandala (100.2 mm – 3.94 inches) and Srimangala (104 mm – 4.09 inches).

Since January this year, Kodagu has received 635.62 mm (25.02 inches). Last year, from Jan. 1 to June 27, Kodagu had received 323.91 mm (12.75 inches).

Apart from being a catchment area for River Cauvery, South Kodagu forms the catchment area for River Lakshmanatheertha that flows into the KRS Dam. It has also been raining at Wayanad district in Kerala feeding water to the confluence of Panamaram River and the Manathawadi River. This confluence flows as Kapila or Kabini River in Karnataka.

While gusty winds uprooting electricity poles, submerged roads and water-filled potholes are common in almost all the areas it rained in Kodagu, the inflow to Harangi reservoir in Somwarpet Taluk has increased.

Heavy rain has restored the beauty of Abbey Falls in Madikeri and the gushing water from a giant rock is attracting a lot of tourists.

The water level in the Harangi reservoir today stood at 2819.26 feet against the maximum capacity of 2,859 feet yesterday and the inflow was 2123 cusecs. Harangi water level has increased by four feet in the last four days. Last year, on the same day (June 27), the water level was 2815.22 feet and the inflow was 1503 cusecs. As of now, there is no outflow from Harangi and the sluice gates will be opened only when the level reaches a comfortable point. Water released from Harangi flows into the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam.

Water level at the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam in Mandya today stood at 67.88 feet as against the maximum level of 124.80 feet. Last year, the level stood at 69.45 feet. The dam has recorded an inflow of 996 cusecs and an outflow of 1,077 cusecs.

Water level in the Kabini Dam has reached 2,251.75 feet against its full level of 2,284 feet. Inflow is around 1,980 cusecs and outflow has been limited to 100 cusecs.

According to an official from the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Madikeri, the entire district, particularly Madikeri and Virajpet Taluks have been receiving good rains. He hoped that the rain will retain its tempo. According to statistics provided by the DC office Control Room in Madikeri, yesterday Madikeri recorded 72.2 mm (2.84 inches) rainfall, Virajpet recorded 33.8 mm (1.33 inches) and Somwarpet recorded 33.7 mm (1.32 inches) rainfall. The average rainfall recorded by the district yesterday is 46.9 mm (1.84 inches).

This morning too, there are reports of widespread rains in Madikeri and Virajpet Taluks. While it rained moderately in the morning, showers picked up by noon. This morning, Madikeri recorded 61.45 mm (2.41 inches), Virajpet recorded 52.0 mm (2.04 inches) and Somwarpet recorded 41.3 mm (1.62 inches). Overall, the district received 51.83 mm (2.03 inches) this morning.