Karnataka: Heavy rain leaves trail of destruction in Old Mysore region

HASSAN/MANDYA/MADIKERI: Heavy rain damaged the fort gate atop Vindyagiri, where the statue of Lord Gommateshwara is situated, in Shravanabelagola in Hassan district, due to which devotees could not climb the steps to reach the abode of Lord Bahubali, which has happened after many years.
As several boulders fell, the authorities stopped devotees from climbing the steps of Vindhyagiri, which is a heritage site.
According to locals, Bekkadakere, a sacred pond, the water of which is used for the Kalasa Puje, and the Mahamastakabhisheka for Lord Gommateshwara, overflowed from the east side on Wednesday, following heavy rain, and increased water flow in the canal.
For the first time in the last 60 years, this pond has overflowed, locals said. Boulders fell between Vadegal Basadi and Brahamadevara Gudi. The fort gate which was damaged in the rain, has a history of 200 years.
The ASI and tourism department have been briefed about the incident, said officials. Senior officials and local MLA C N Balakrishna visited the spot, and reviewed the situation.
Meanwhile, the rain situation worsened in Mandya district, with many lakes breaching the maximum level. Traffic between Mysuru and Bengaluru was diverted from Maddur via Bharati Nagara and Malavalli, after the Maddur Lake overflowed. Vehicles arriving from Bengaluru were diverted to the KM Doddi-Mandya road.
The Kolli Circle in the town got waterlogged. The lake water entered hundreds of houses in the low-lying areas. Traffic on the Kikkeri-KR Pet Road was disrupted, after the Amani lake overflowed.
The Sollepura Lake also overflowed, causing floods in the area. The Adake Katte Lake also overflowed, while the famous Amani Lake in Kikkeri reached the maximum level.
The power supply was disrupted in most parts of the district, with many electrical poles and transformers getting damaged in the flood water. Officials are struggling to re-establish power connection, due to flooding.
The highest damage was reported in Maddur, KR Pet, and Malavalli taluks in the district.
In Kodagu district, the district administration is planning a temporary alternative road, after the Madikeri-Mangaluru road got damaged. Cracks have developed on the road between Devaracolli and Koyanadu. Heavy rain caused landslides in many places on Tuesday night. The PWD is in the process of building a temporary road nearby, to prevent further damage to the road.
Even a bridge constructed by KRDCL, across the Payaswini River in Koyanadu, is posing a danger. In Sample village, a house was damaged due to a landslide. In Dabbadka village as well, a house was damaged due to a landslide. Meanwhile, five houses were damaged in Kadamakal village at Galibeedu due to a landslide caused by heavy rain. MLA Appachu Ranjan visited the spot.
The Harangi dam authorities have announced that water will be released to the left and right bank canals till August 16.
Hassan district in-charge minister K Gopalaiah visited Shravanabelagola with senior officials of the district administration. "Directions have been issued to start the repair works at the earliest. Works will begin from tomorrow," he said.
The Archaeological Survey of India has been instructed to take up required conservation works.
However, devotees will not be allowed to enter Vindyagiri till the repair works are completed.