Karnataka: Kodagu gets brief respite from heavy rains; flood warning issued in Mysuru

After a spell of heavy rains during the previous 24-hour period, Kodagu received a respite, although there were intermittent rains and incessant drizzle in many parts of the district on Friday.

The pause in the downpour came as a relief to authorities and locals who had been bracing for further disruption due to rains. While there was an orange alert valid till 8.30 a.m. on Friday, no fresh alert was received for the remainder of the day. However, the authorities have not let their guards down. All anganwadis, primary, higher secondary schools, and pre-university colleges were closed on Friday as a precautionary measure.

Parts of Kodagu were battered with heavy rains during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 a.m. on Friday, with the district recording 64.88 mm of rainfall. Sampaje in Madikeri taluk received 115.5 mm of rains, while Bhagamandala recorded 108.8 mm. Ammathi in Virajpet received 87.5 mm of rains, while Shanthalli in Somwarpet taluk recorded 72 mm during the same period.

Other places which recorded significantly high rainfall included Ponnampet (75 mm), Hudikeri (72.4 mm), Srimangala (59 mm), Suntikoppa (49.2 mm), and Napoklu (76.2 mm), according to the district administration.

In Mysuru, authorities have issued a flood warning to people living in the downstream of the Kabini and Taraka reservoirs. A release said that both the dams were full, and there were heavy rains in the catchment areas of the upstream region of the reservoirs, consequent to which, the rate of inflow had increased.

Hence, the outflow from Kabini is expected to be stepped up to 15,000 cusecs or more. People living in the low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer places along with their livestock as the outflow could further be increased depending on the rate of inflow. The water level at Kabini reservoir was 2,284 feet against the full level of 2,284 feet, and hence there was no scope for impounding water anymore.