IMD issues red alert for Dakshina and Uttara Kannada, coastal and south interior K'taka till Jul 20
Bengaluru (Karnataka), Jul 18: Under the influence of a low pressure area over central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal, isolated extremely heavy rainfall is very likely over coastal and south interior Karnataka for the next three days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The IMD has issued a red alert for July 19 and 20 in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and south interior Karnataka.
The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSDNMC) has observed that with the rainfall continuing in the same intensity Cauvery reservoir will likely reach its full capacity in three days. Harangi and Kabini reservoirs have already reached full capacity.
It has also issued a flood alert, based on IMD report, in the coastal and western ghat regions.
Due to the widespread rainfall in these regions in the last two days, flooding in coastal and western ghats areas are likely.
Meanwhile, the district administration of both Kodagu and Udupi districts have already announced holidays for schools and PU colleges as a precautionary measure. A holiday was also declared for the five taluks in Dakshina Kannada district.
Heavy rains lash Mangaluru and surrounding areas as well.
Also, as the water level in Netravati River breached danger level in Uppinangady, all crest gates were opened in two dams built across Netravati River.
The overflowing river had already inundated over 15 houses in Aladka in Panemangaluru, Bantwala taluk on July 18.
People were moved to a safe place on Wednesday night. A school playground and coconut plantation in Aladka were also flooded.
In Kodagu too, both Cauvery and Lakshmana Tirtha rivers were overflowing.
According to X user @ravikeerthi22, who tracks weather developments in the western ghats, with particular reference to Kodagu regions, due to more water inflow from Bhagamandala side, which is witnessing incessant rains, and widespread rains in the catchment area are likely to make Cauvery flow above warning level at Napoklu by July 18 night.
“People living near river banks are already asked to shift to a relief camp nearby by Kushalanagara tehsildar,” he posted.
According to him, Benguru in Kodagu also received 82mm rainfall till 12.30 on July 18.
KSNDMC has issued a notice stating that Harohalli in Aalru-Siddapur gram panchayat of Kodagu district witnessed a landslide on July 18 at around 11.30 am.
In view of the escalated developments in the region, Kodagu district administration has banned night vehicular movement (except emergency services) at Sampaje Ghat road, which connects Madikeri and Mangaluru as there are chances for landslides at some places.
The ban is on till July 22 from 8 pm to 6 am.
People travelling to Mysuru are advised to use Charmadi Ghat road instead.
Traffic disruption is also expected in Mysuru-Nanjanagudu highway, as Kabini River started to overflow onto the highway.
Meanwhile, coastal Karnataka’s Castle Rock in Uttara Kannada received the highest rainfall in Karnataka, as per the rain record issued on July 18 by IMD. Castle Rock received 240mm rainfall between 8.30am on July 17 to 8.30am on July 18.
More water incoming from Bhagamandala side & widespread rains should make Kaveri flow above Warning level at Napoklu in coming hours.
— ರವಿ ಕೀರ್ತಿ ಗೌಡ (@ravikeerthi22) July 18, 2024
People living near to River Banks are already asked to shift to near by Relief Camp by Kushalanagara tashildhar#KodaguRains #KarnatakaRains https://t.co/ORzLlARR4s
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
