Mysuru/ Madikeri: Monsoon has picked up pace in Mysuru, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Hassan after a brief lull. Rain has started pounding in these areas since last evening and landslides have been reported at several places.
Business in Mysuru was severely affected this morning as most of the two-wheelers stayed off the roads. Intermittent rain began at around 4.30 am and it continued till about 11 am putting office-goers into severe inconvenience. Business areas like the Devaraja Market, Makkaji Chowk, K.R. Circle, Mandi and Bandipalya markets sported a deserted look as people stayed indoors.
The situation was entirely different in Kodagu and Hassan. While the Mangaluru-Hassan Railway line was blocked and train services cancelled due to heavy landslides at Arabhavi, the connection between Madikeri and Bhagamandala has snapped as there is over 3-feet water on Ayyangeri Road.
The makeshift bridge near Thithimathi in Kodagu that had caved in recently and which was restored by the Kodagu District Administration, caved in again this morning bringing traffic to a grinding halt. The road connects Mysuru to South Kodagu.
Heavy rain has been lashing Kodagu since last evening. As a precaution, Kodagu DC P.I. Sreevidya declared a holiday to all schools and colleges today. Madikeri and Virajpet Taluks have been worst affected with over 30 electricity poles crashing since last evening at Murnad, Balamuri, Srimangala and Ponnampet.
There is over one feet of water over the main Bhagamandala Bridge. If it continues to rain till today evening, the Triveni Sangam will be submerged. Already, the Triveni Sangam at Bhagamandala has been submerged four times since the first week of June. The water tank of Sri Omkareshwar Temple at Madikeri is overflowing and water is gushing on the road.
Kerala link Road
The road that links Kodagu and Kerala via Makutta and Perumbadi has been partially restored and only light vehicles are being allowed now. The road has seen extensive damages as over 20 kilometres of this stretch has been destroyed by landslides and tree fall. Small bridges have either been washed away or damaged and water has entered many houses. Some of the houses that have been constructed in slopes have collapsed.
Traffic banned
The District Administration had banned traffic till July 12 on this road and the administration opened the road for light vehicles since yesterday. Bus travellers from Kerala towards Virajpet and from Virajpet to Kerala have been asked to take the road via Gonikoppal, Ponnampet, Kutta to reach Manandavadi in Kerala.
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