Coastal-south Karnataka witness heavy rains, rivers overflow

Bengaluru: “Heavy rains are being received in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi, along with south interior districts of Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Shivamogga,” said the Director of Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) G.S. Srinivasa Reddy here.

Heavy rains of up to 15 cm poured down on coastal and southern Karnataka, causing rivers to overflow and creating a flood-like situation in villages and towns in the region.

Over the last 24 hours, Dakshina Kannada (DK) received a maximum of 14.9 cm rain while Uttara Kannada 10.5 cm, Udupi district 7.8 cm, Shivamogga district 9.4 cm, and Kodagu 10.2 cm.

Owing to the heavy rains, the respective district commissioners declared holiday for schools and colleges in DK and Udupi districts.

According to a weather advisory from the Bengaluru centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rains are expected to continue in the region over the next three days.

Cauvery at maximum capacity

The Cauvery basin is presently filled to its maximum capacity due to bountiful rains over the last two months and any additional rains would cause the rivers to overflow. Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir across Cauvery river in Mandya district, Kabini reservoir in Mysuru district across Kabini river, one of the major tributaries of Cauvery have filled to their full capacity.

Due to excessive rains in Wayanad district in north Kerala, Kabini reservoir has received excess water and since the dam is already full, water had to be released from the dam. Since Friday, about 80,000 cusecs of rain water was released from Kabini reservoir, and 59,000 cusecs from KRS reservoir.

“People in the low-lying areas in the nearby villages and towns of the reservoirs have been shifted to safe locations with the water being released. Police, fire services and other district officials are on duty day and night to assist people,” informed Mysuru district Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G Shankar.

As per reports, the released water has flooded several farmlands and roads in the villages and towns of Mysuru district. Also, as a result of the water flow, several houses have submerged in the district and roads have been damaged.

The IMD has advised farmers to be prepared for heavy rains in coastal and south interior districts over the next few days and also asked fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea due to heavy winds along the coast.

According to the weather office, northern Karnataka, which continues to face deficit rainfall, is likely to receive rains over the next few days.