Madikeri, Mandya: Heavy to very heavy rain is lashing across Kodagu since the last 48 hours. The Triveni Sangama at Bhagamandala is submerged and the heavy water flow has raised the hopes of a vigorous monsoon that will result in increase in the storage levels of reservoirs in Cauvery Basin — Harangi, Hemavathy and Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS).

While the rain has brought untold miseries to the people of Kodagu with tree falls, snapping of telephone and electricity lines, it has brought cheer to the parched regions of Mysuru, Mandya and Bengaluru that depend on Cauvery water for survival.

The Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow in Madikeri was damaged by tree falls yesterday. While one tree fell on a portion of DC P.I. Sreevidya’s house damaging the ceiling and some of the rooms, another tree destroyed the security guard’s section of the DC’s house.

In all, four trees came crashing in the compound of DC’s house at Sudarshan Circle. Fire brigade and Police rushed to the spot and cleared the branches. Sreevidya said the roof of the bungalow is being repaired to stop leakages and there are no extensive damages to the bungalow. Among the places that received the highest rainfall are Bhagamandala, Talacauvery, Ayyangeri, Madikeri, Murnad, Napoklu, Ponnampet, Siddapur, Srimangala and Balele.

The District Administration has advised pilgrims to avoid going to Talacauvery and Bhagamandala in view of heavy rain. While Triveni Sangama is submerged, the road leading to Bhagamandala from Virajpet and Madikeri have been blocked at many places by overflowing River Cauvery and other small rivulets.

Holiday for schools and colleges

As a precaution, the District Administration has declared a holiday today for schools and colleges. Officials told Star of Mysore that they were bracing up for possible landslides which are common in the district during monsoon.

As against a normal rainfall of 245.50 mm from January to May, the total rainfall in the district during the same period this year was 423.68 mm whereas in 2017, the district had received 305.04 mm of rain from January to May. Madikeri taluk has received 614.74 mm of rainfall since January to June 9 as against 344.29 mm during the corresponding period last year.

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre has predicted more rain in Kodagu in the next two or three days. In anticipation of the rains, the district administration conducted review meetings of its rain preparedness to meet any eventuality. Taluk-wise rescue teams have been formed and separate control rooms with the main control room in Madikeri have been established to monitor the rain damage.

The DC has directed the deployment of expert swimmers, motorised boats for evacuation of people in low-lying areas along the river banks in case of an emergency, and establishment of relief centres.

KRS water level rises

Following incessant rain in Kodagu and stage-by-stage release of Cauvery water from the Harangi Dam in Somwarpet Taluk of Kodagu, water level in KRS dam of Mandya district has been rising steadily. At present, there is 79.50 ft  water, up by over 13 feet when compared to the statistics in the first and second week of May.

While it may take some time for KRS to reach its full capacity of 124.80 ft (depending on the inflow from the catchment   areas of North and South Kodagu), the water level as on Sunday evening stood at 78.50 ft with an inflow of 4,470 cusecs. Last year, during the same period, the water level stood at 67.63 ft.

Waterfalls in full splendour

The Abbe Falls in Madikeri, Irupu Falls at Irupu village in South Kodagu, the Chelavara Falls and Mallalli Falls in Somwarpet are in full splendour with water gushing down from the hilly regions. Along with the main waterfalls, there are several other waterfalls on the Bhagamandala-Karike Road, Madikeri-Mundroot Road, and Madikeri-Mangaluru Road which are also flowing in full spate.

While hundreds of tourists are visiting the waterfalls, the District Administration has warned tourists not to venture into the water as they will be pulled downstream due to strong water currents.

KODAGU RAIN DATA – 11.6.2018

Madikeri Taluk received 116.65 mm rainfall till the morning of June 11. Virajpet has received 92.90 mm rainfall and Somwarpet 104.12 mm. The District Average is 104.56 mm.

Madikeri town received 71.20 mm, Napoklu 131.20 mm, Sampaje 90.20 mm, Bhagamandala 174.00 mm, Virajpet 104.00 mm, Hudikeri 124.00, Srimangala 118.20, Ponnampet 82.20, Ammathi 71.00, Balele 58.00 mm, Somwarpet 138.80 mm, Shanivarsanthe 101.40 mm, Shanthalli 196.00, Kodlipet 135.50 mm, Kushalnagar 11.00 mm, and Suntikoppa received 42.00 mm.

Harangi Dam level

Maximum: 2,859.00 ft

Today’s level: 2,806.80 ft

Inflow: 4,780.00 cusecs

Outflow to river: 30 cusecs