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Heavy rain impacts normal life in Malnad region; one dies in Chikkamagaluru in tree-fall incident

• Posted on May 26, 2025

Shivamogga

Many parts of the Malnad region have been receiving torrential rains for the past two days, affecting normal life. The inflow into the reservoirs has been on the rise, forcing the authorities concerned to open the crest gates.

An autorickshaw driver died in a tree-fall incident. The deceased, identified as Rathnakar, 45, was returning to Gadikal after dropping off the passengers at Kogre when a roadside tree fell on his vehicle, killing him on the spot. The incident occurred near Byredevaru village in Koppa taluk on Sunday.

Heavy rains have impacted vehicular movement on highways, and low-lying areas in many places have been flooded.

At least three incidents of vehicles falling into waterbodies have been reported in Chikkamagaluru. All three incidents were reported between Banakal and Kottigehara in Mudigere taluk. The drivers were struggling to negotiate deep curves. However, the alert local people rescued the passengers.

Many villages near Kalasa, Koppa, Balehonnur, Aldru, Sringeri, N.R. Pura, and Chikkamagaluru have been receiving heavy rains. Similarly in Shivamogga district, parts of Tirthahalli, Hosanagar, Sagar, and Shivamogga taluk have been receiving incessant downpours.

In Hassan district, the travellers on national highway 75, connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru, were stuck due to incidents of landslips. The local authorities were clearing the stretch by removing the debris. Several electric poles and trees have been uprooted across the region. The heavy rains have impacted power supply in vast areas.

The officers in charge of Tunga reservoir at Gajanur have opened the crest gates as water reached the maximum level, due to heavy rains in the catchment areas. The reservoir has the capacity to hold 3.24 TMC of water. The water level reached the maximum level of 588.24 metre on Sunday, forcing the officers to open the gates. The inflow on the day was around 11,500 cusecs, according to the officers.

Similarly, the officers of the Yagachi Project in Belur have warned the people downstream of the Yagachi reservoir to move to safer places. As of Sunday morning, the water level in the reservoir stood at 964.23 metre, against the full reservoir level of 946.60 metre. The crest gates could be opened anytime to release excess water, said Punith C., executive engineer of the Yagachi Project.

Torrential rains in Malnad region impact normal life, leading to flooding, landslides, and opening of reservoir crest gates. | Source: The Hindu

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