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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Strict security measures in place in Mumbai for Messi's events at 2 venues Dec 14, say police
Mumbai (PTI): In view of Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi's visit to Mumbai on Sunday, the city police are implementing stringent security measures, like not allowing water bottles, metals, coins inside the stadiums and setting up watchtowers to keep an eye on the crowd, officials said.
The police also said taking extra care to avoid any stampede-like situation and to prevent recurrence of the chaotic situation that unfolded in Kolkata during Messi's visit on Saturday as thousands of fans protested inside the Salt Lake stadium here after failing to catch a clear glimpse of the football icon despite paying hefty sums for tickets.
Messi is expected to be present at the Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium) in Mumbai on Sunday for a Padel GOAT Cup event followed by attending a celebrity football match. He is expected to proceed to the Wankhede Stadium for the GOAT India Tour main event around 5 pm.
"In view of Lionel Messi's visit to Mumbai, the police are geared up and have put in place a high level of security arrangements in and around the stadiums located in south Mumbai. Considering the chaos that prevailed in Kolkata and the security breach, we have deployed World Cup-level security arrangements at Brabourne and Wankhede stadiums," an official said.
Expecting heavy crowd near the stadiums during Messi's visit, the city police force has deployed more than 2,000 of its personnel near and around both the venues, he said.
As the Mumbai police have the experience of security 'bandobast' during the victory parade of ICC World Cup-winning Indian team and World Cup final match at the Wankhede Stadium, in which over one lakh cricket fans had gathered, we are prepared to handle a large crowd of fans, he said.
"We are trying to avoid the errors that occurred in the past," the official said.
There is no place to sneak inside the stadiums in Mumbai like the Kolkata stadium, according to him.
The police are also asking the organisers to provide all the required facilities to the fans inside the stadium, so that there will be no chaos, he said, adding the spectators have purchased tickets in the range of Rs 5,000 to 25,000. After paying so much of amount, any spectator expects proper services, while enjoying the event, he said.
The police are expecting 33,000 spectators at the Wankhede Stadium and over 4,000 at Brabourne Stadium. Besides this, more than 30,000 people are expected outside and around the stadiums just to have a glimpse of the football sensation, he said.
The organisers responsible for Messi's India visit recently came to Mumbai to discuss security arrangements. During the meeting, the Mumbai police asked them not to take the event lightly, according to the official.
After those requirements were fulfilled, the final security deployment was chalked out, he said.
Police has the standard procedure of the security arrangements inside the Wankhede Stadium, where people are barred from taking water bottles, metals objects, coins. Police are setting up watch towers near the stadiums and there will be traffic diversions, so that there is maximum space available to stand, according to the official.
Police are also appealing to the spectators to use public transport service for commuting and avoid personal vehicles to reach south Mumbai.
To avoid any stampede-like situation, police are also taking precautionary measures and will stop the fans some distance ahead of the stadium and public announcement systems will be used to guide the crowd. Barricades will be placed at various places to manage the crowd.
In case the crowd swells up beyond expectation, the police will divert people to other grounds and preparations in this regard underway, he said.
Additional police force has been deployed in south Mumbai to tackle any kind of situation, he said.
