Heavy rains lash many parts of Karnataka, allaying fear of drought
Bengaluru, Jul 23: Heavy downpour over the past two days in many parts of Karnataka, especially the coastal and southern region, brought hopes of a good harvest for farmers staring at a drought-like situation due to inadequate rains in the last two months.
According to Meteorological Department, there were heavy rains as southwest monsoon was active over the state and rainfall occurred at most places over coastal Karnataka, south interior region and at many places over northern areas.
There was very heavy rainfall in several parts of Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Udupi and Kodagu districts.
Heavy rains, accompanied by high-velocity winds, continued to lash several parts of the twin coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on Sunday.
With the monsoon intensifying in the coast once again, several trees were uprooted in the two districts damaging houses and electric poles since Saturday, officials said.
In Mangaluru, some houses were damaged when a huge tree got uprooted on the campus of the zilla panchayat office in Kottara. A man sustained a head injury during the incident. Several trees fell in Daddalkad, Urwa and Pakkaladka in the city.
The water level in Nethravati river has risen steadily since Sunday morning, touching the danger mark. With this, the low-lying areas have been flooded with river water.
Water also entered a school playground and caused huge losses to arecanut growers following destruction of standing crops.
Officials directed the people in flood-affected areas to shift themselves to safer places. They also visited the rehabilitation centres set up at Panemangaluru.
Vehicular movement was affected on the Mani-Mysuru highway after a tree fell on the road at Neralakatte, while an uprooted tree at Lorettopadavu in Bantwal taluk disrupted traffic in the area.
A huge mango tree fell on the Katapadi-Shirva state highway near the weekly market area, leading to traffic disruption. Two bikes were damaged and one person was injured in the incident.
With Kumaradhara river in spate, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has urged devotees not to visit Kukke Subrahmanya temple for now as the river banks are submerged in floodwaters.
Fire and Rescue service personnel and Mangalore Electricity Company (MESCOM) staff have cleared roads and restored power supply at affected areas with the help of local people.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts and has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall till Monday.
The Department said there were 'extremely heavy rainfall' in Castle Rock in Uttara Kannada district; Bhagamandala in Kodagu district, which is the origin and major catchment area of river Cauvery; Udupi district; and Mulki in Dakshina Kannada district.
Bengaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Belagavi, Haveri, Hassan, Dharwad, Davangere, Chamarajanagar, Gadag, Raichur, Mysuru, Bagalkote, Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Mandya, Chikkaballapura and Vijayapura received good rains.
The Department said rain is very likely to occur at most places over the state in the next 48 hours and heavy to very heavy showers are likely to occur at isolated places over all the districts of coastal Karnataka and over Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Shivamogga districts in southern region.
"Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Koppal, Yadgir districts of North Interior Karnataka and over Hassan and Ballari districts of South Interior Karnataka," the Meteorological Department said in its statement.
It further said that in the next 48 hours "heavy to very heavy rain" is likely to occur at isolated places in all the districts of coastal Karnataka.
Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Belagavi district of north interior Karnataka and over Chikkamagaluru, Kolar, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Hassan districts of south interior Karnataka, the forecast read.
The Department has also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea as squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-45 Kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail over Karnataka coast.
Orange alert has been sounded in the coastal districts as well as Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Shivamogga, while Hassan, Ballari, Yadgir, Koppal, Haveri, Gadag, Dharwad and Belagavi have been put on yellow alert.
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Army rescues 135 tourists from landslides-hit North Sikkim, many still stranded
Gangtok (PTI): A total of 135 stranded tourists have been rescued by the Army from North Sikkim, where multiple landslides have snapped road connectivity, officials said on Thursday.
Around 1,000 tourists remain stranded in Lachen, with sustained efforts underway to ensure their rescue at the earliest, they said.
The rescue operation is being carried out by the Trishakti Corps under the Eastern Command amid heavy snowfall, they added.
Critical passes have been opened and alternate routes activated to facilitate the rescue mission, named 'Operation Him Setu', officials said.
A total of 32 light vehicles and 10 motorcycles have been moved out so far, with Army vehicles deployed to tow civilian vehicles across steep, snowbound stretches, they said.
Medical emergencies and those requiring immediate assistance are being prioritised, officials said.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working in close coordination with the Army, undertaking continuous road clearance, snow removal and restoration of connectivity despite challenging terrain and weather, they said.
"Our foremost priority is the safety and well-being of every citizen. Our teams remain committed to providing all necessary assistance on the ground," an Army official said.
Multiple landslides have disrupted road connectivity between Lachen and Chungthang, an area close to the India-China border.
