Heavy rain wreaks havoc in Kodagu
Madikeri, August 08: After a respite for few days, heavy rains lashed the district on Wednesday and wrecked havoc as streams and rivers were in spate and public property was damaged.
Due to heavy rain that has been lashing since Tuesday night, the water level in the Cauvery river has increased considerably due to which, the roads in Bhagamandala and surrounding places were inundated. A private bus parked beside a stream at Kakkabe was inundated in the rainwater on Wednesday morning. In other parts of the district, the water level has been increasing submerging the roads and obstructing the vehicular movements.
Madikeri taluk has been receiving heavy rains. Rainwater gushed into the houses at the Cauvery layout in the city. A house was damaged as a tree fell on it at Mangaladevi Nagar. But the inmates of the house were escaped unhurt. On LIC road, the water level was increased up to bridge. Following heavy rains, the district administration is taking precautionary measures. Somavarapete and Virajpet taluks also received heavy rains.
Landslide on Madikeri- Mangaluru road
One side of the Madikeri-Mangaluru road was collapsed around 300 ft down due to heavy downpour. The vehicle drivers were the witness for this incident on Wednesday morning. As a result, the electric poles on roadside are under threat of damage. If the same situation continued for some time, there are chances of the entire road would get damaged. Though it is not safe to travel on the road, the authorities have allowed the movement of vehicles in one side of the road. Police officials visited the spot and took precautionary measures by putting barricades.
Heavy rains
As on Wednesday morning at 8.30, the district has received 65.91 mm rain. Compared to last year on the same day, just 5.13 mm rainfall was recorded. Since January, the district has got 2713.87 mm rainfall this year against last year’s 1,339.36 mm rainfall.
Harangi reservoir water level
The water level in the Harangi reservoir has reached 2857.89 ft against maximum level of 2859 ft. Last year, the water level on this day was 2858.61 ft. The inflow into the reservoir is 6868 cusec while outflow is 6068 cusec of water and 1500 cusec of water is being released into canal.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
