Kumaraswamy reaches rain-ravaged Kukke

Traffic hit on Shiradi Ghat due to landslides

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's entourage, which was en route to Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, got delayed due to water logging on Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway-75 at Udane.

Kumaraswamy and his family were travelling from Dharmasthala to Kukke, via the Puttur-Jalsur route, to offer 'Ashlesha Bali' and 'Maha Pooja' to the presiding deity. The chief minister reached Kukke at 11 am.

Heavy rain in Puttur and Belthangady taluks since Monday night resulted in water-logging in Udane that led to the disruption of vehicular movement on the Manglauru-Bengaluru highway.

Rain in the region has led to a heavy flow of water in the 'Kempu Hole' which flooded the road from midnight onwards.

By midnight, there was nearly one-foot water on the road. By Tuesday morning, the water level has increased to around 3-4-feet.

The police diverted traffic to Bengaluru via Ichalampady-Mardala-Gundya to reach Shiradi Ghat. Vehicles moving towards Mangaluru were diverted at Gundya to travel on the Periyashanthi-Ichlampady route. Through the diverted route, one has to travel an additional 50 km to reach their destination and on a narrow road.

The Nethravathi is flowing above the danger level in Uppinangady. If the situation continues, then water is likely to enter the Sahasralingeshwara Temple in Uppinangady.

Meanwhile, the Hosamata bridge across Gundya stream continues to remain under water for the third consecutive day, affecting vehicular movement on Kadaba-Uppinangady route, causing inconvenience to pilgrims travelling to the Kukke Subrahmanya Temple.

Landslides on Shiradi Ghat

Water from Kubjaa stream entered the sanctum sanctorum of
the Sri Brahmi Durgaparameshwari Temple
at Kamalashile in Udupi District.

The Bengaluru-Mangaluru NH-75 on the Shiradi Ghat stretch in Sakleshpur taluk remained blocked for the second consecutive day since Monday due to landslides.

Traffic has been affected due to landslides at four to six locations. The major landslide is at Marenahalli in Sakleshpura taluk.

Mangaluru resident Ruben told DH that he has been stuck for more than 12 hours. "I left Mangaluru at 10.15 pm on Monday and I am still stuck in Shiradi Ghat at 10.30 am. A tree fell on the road at Gundya, which was cleared immediately. However, landslides on other locations on the stretch has affected the movement of vehicles."

Following the blockade, all buses to Bengaluru and Mangaluru were delayed by several hours.

On Monday, even Kumaraswamy's cavalcade had to proceed via Charmadi Ghat to reach Dharmasthala due to a landslide on the Shiradi Ghat section.

Over the past fortnight, the Shiradi Ghat stretch on the national highway has been blocked several times due to landslides.

Heavy rain in Kodagu

Heavy rain continues to lash Kodagu district. About 35,000 cusecs of water are being released from Harangi reservoir.

As the water level in the Cauvery also increased, Bhagamandala-Madikeri and Bhagamandala-Ayyangeri road were cut off for vehicular movement.

Rain in Mysuru, Hassan

While there is a light drizzle over Mysuru city, parts of Sakleshpur taluk in the Western Ghats in Hassan district is receiveing moderate rainfall. Konanuru and surrounding villages in Hassan taluk are receiving a good spell of rain, while it is drizzling in Hassan city.

(With inputs from T R Satish Kumar in Mysuru)