Karnataka rains: High alert in five rain-battered districts

BENGALURU: Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy who was busy temple hopping for the past two days even as rains pounded Malnad and coastal districts finally took some time to review the situation on Wednesday.

After a brief meeting with officials, Kumaraswamy declared a high alert in five rain-hit districts of Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga and asked the deputy commissioners (DCs) to be on their toes to combat any untoward situation.

With heavy rain expected to continue in Malnad and coastal region of Karnataka, the CM asked the DCs to take necessary steps including evacuation of people residing in low-lying areas and deployment of boats.

The CM also directed senior secretaries to visit districts and keep themselves apprised of the situation. He also appealed to all district-in-charge ministers to review the situations in their respective areas.

Torrential rains in the last three days has caused floods, landslides and disrupted normal life in the state, forcing suspension of train and bus services.

“Though rain has abated in some areas except in parts of Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, we are not taking any chances,’’ said GS Srinivasa Reddy,’’ director, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre.

Flash floods were reported on Wednesday in 30 villages in Honnali and Harapanahalli taluks of Davanagere districts, situated on the banks of Tungabhadra. This was after more than 60,000 cusecs of water was discharged from the Bhadra reservoir, which has filled to its capacity. About 200 houses besides a primary school, temple and a community hall was inundated due to the flash floods.

Rains continued to wreak havoc in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The Madikeri—Mangaluru Road via Sampaje was shut for vehicular traffic following landslides. The Somwarpet- Sakaleshpur highway was also severely damaged due to rain.