Virajpet/Mysuru: Heavy rains lashing Virajpet taluk in Kodagu since Saturday has prompted the authorities to close down schools and colleges in the taluk today (Sept. 18).

Rains, which escalated on Sunday, continued to lash today too. Following the downpour, water level in Lakshmantheertha River has increased. Heavy rains in the taluk has also rendered many labourers jobless.

Virajpet BEO, who met Tahsildar Govindaraj yesterday, urged him to declare holiday for schools and colleges in the taluk today. The Tahsildar in turn contacted Kodagu DC Richard Vincent D’Souza and apprised him of the situation in the taluk and issued an order to close the institutions for the day today. However, no damage to property or loss of life has been reported.

Rainfall recorded between Sept. 17 (8 am) and Sept. 18 (8 am)

Virajpet – 104.4mm; Madikeri-79.4mm; Napoklu- 68.6mm; Sampaje- 22.4mm; Bhagamandala- 71mm; Hudikeri- 34mm; Srimangala- 22mm; Ponnampet- 46.6mm; Ammathi- 68.5mm; Balele- 20mm; Somwarpet- 17.6mm; Kodlipet- 25mm; Kushalnagar- 13.6mm and Suntikoppa- 25.3mm.   

Heavy rains predicted in Mysuru region

Meanwhile, N. Narendra Babu, Research Associate at Organic Farming Research Station in Naganahalli, speaking to SOM said that moderate to heavy rains are predicted in Mysuru and its surroundings till Sept. 20.

He said that if there is high wind speed, the clouds may scatter resulting in scattered rainfall in the region and added that 35mm to 40 mm rains were predicted.