Bhagmandala turns island as rain batters Kodagu district

Kumardhara river in Kukke Subrahamanya is almost flowing to the brim Traffic on Dharmasthala-Subrahamanya highway blocked as heavy trees have fallen on to the road restricting traffic Bhagamandala in Kodau district turns island as rain batters district

Monsoon has finally picked up in Karnataka as interior parts of the state are receiving incessant rainfall for the past three days. Heavy rains are lashing coastal Karnataka, Chikmagaluru, Madikeri and Belagavi damaging over 40 houses in Belagavi and inundating the fields in Chikmagaluru and Kodagu districts.

Bhagamandala in Kodagu district is completely cut off as majority of the areas are marooned in the water. Bhagamandala has been receiving heavy rainfall for the past three days and as a result Madikeri-Talacauvery road is blocked. The district administration has restricted entry to Talacauvery, from where Cauvery originates. The Kodagu district administration has declared holiday for schools and colleges as there has been no respite from the rain for the past three days. Some local leaders have provided boats for people of Bhagamandala-Ayyangeri to reach from one place to another. Paddy fields in Napoklu area are inundated in the water. 

The Harangi reservoir has registered a record 4ft water in a single day with an increased inflow of Cauvery water pushing the level to 2,844.45 ft while the maximum level of the reservoir is 2,859 ft, reports Prajavani.

In coastal region, due to heavy rains, huge trees have been uprooted affecting traffic flow. Many tourists have stranded on the Dharmasthala-Subrahmanya highway as the traffic on the stretch is yet to be cleared. As a bridge near Uppinangady that connects Subrahmanya from Dharmasthala is almost drowned as Kumaradhara river is flowing almost to the brim. As a precautionary measure, the police have restricted traffic on the bridge. It is reported that inflow into Kumaradhara river has increased and as a result, the bath ghat near the Kukke Subrahmanya temple is submerged.

Even in Chikmagaluru, Tunga and Bhadra rivers have received good inflow as the district - as usual - is receiving good rainfall. The Meteorological department has predicted heavy rain for three more days in the state.