Monsoon rains wreak havoc across Karnataka, causing floods, crop loss
Bengaluru: Heavy monsoon rains over the past few days have caused widespread flooding, crop destruction and disruption of normal life across several regions of Karnataka. Rivers and reservoirs are overflowing, roads have been cut off, and thousands of acres of farmland are under water, bringing severe distress to farmers and residents.
Large parts of Kalyana Karnataka, the coastal belt and Malnad region have been worst hit. In Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Bidar districts, continuous rainfall on Friday led to inundation of villages and farmland. In Jewargi taluk of Kalaburagi district, a farmer, Khaja Hussaini, suffered a major setback after 5,800 papaya trees on leased land were washed away, causing a loss of nearly ₹35 lakh. Cotton crops ready for harvest were also damaged in nearby villages.
The Bennethora reservoir released heavy outflow, submerging the Kalagi-Malghan bridge and cutting off traffic movement. Several villages, including Hale Hebbal, Kanasuru, Malghan, Tengali and Kalgurthi, were inundated. Waterlogging also forced authorities to declare a holiday at Donur Government High Primary School.
In Bidar, the overflowing Manjra and Karanja rivers entered farmlands and villages. District Minister Eshwar Khandre, who inspected affected areas in Bhalki, Aurad and Kamalnagar taluks, said crops on more than one lakh hectares have been damaged. He instructed officials to complete a crop loss survey within ten days and assured that farmers would be compensated.
Meanwhile, 55,512 cusecs of water was discharged from the Tungabhadra dam, prompting a flood alert in villages along the river. Several monuments in Hampi and Anegundi were inundated for the fifth time this season.
In coastal and Malnad Karnataka, heavy rain led to the release of 75,000 cusecs of water into the Sharavathi river from the Gerusoppa dam in Honnavar taluk of Uttara Kannada district. Residents were shifted to 15 relief centres. Traffic movement was hit in Bhatkal town due to waterlogging, while a section of the Gokarna-Sirsi state highway was damaged. A minor mudslide was also reported in Honnavar. Castle Rock in Uttara Kannada recorded 200 mm of rain within 24 hours on Friday.
Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts reported intermittent heavy showers. In Shivamogga district, the Linganamakki dam neared full capacity, leading to a rejuvenated Jog Falls. The Tunga, Bhadra and Mani reservoirs also approached maximum levels.
Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu too witnessed continuous downpours. Authorities in Kodagu declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Friday as a precautionary measure. Landslides forced the closure of the Thamarassery Ghat road to Wayanad, with vehicles diverted through alternate routes. Rainfall was recorded at 115 mm in Sampaje and 100 mm each in Bhagamandala and Virajpet over the past 24 hours.
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Annamalai left out of BJP’s candidate list for Tamil Nadu polls, party cites High Command decision
Chennai/New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, triggering political discussion after the absence of former state president K Annamalai from the roster.
Despite being widely seen as the party’s most prominent face in the state and a key figure in its southern expansion strategy, Annamalai was not fielded in the list. Senior leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore, Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore North, and Union Minister L. Murugan from Avinashi, have been nominated.
Responding to questions on the omission, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said the decision was taken by the party’s central leadership. He expressed confidence that all 27 candidates would emerge victorious in the polls.
Annamalai, a former IPS officer who joined the BJP in 2020 and rapidly rose to prominence, had earlier been replaced as state chief by Nagendran. Known for his aggressive political style and grassroots outreach, he has been instrumental in amplifying the party’s presence in Tamil Nadu, a state traditionally dominated by Dravidian parties.
In a message posted on X, Annamalai congratulated the candidates and reaffirmed his commitment to the party. He said he would campaign actively for BJP and NDA nominees, expressing confidence in the alliance securing a decisive mandate. He also criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, calling it ineffective and self-serving.
The BJP is contesting the elections as part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Seat-sharing arrangements allocate 169 constituencies to the AIADMK, 27 to the BJP, 18 to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, 11 to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, five to the Tamil Maanila Congress, and one seat each to the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi and Puratchi Bharatham.
Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 across all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4. The primary contest is expected between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA, although actor-turned-politician Vijay is also positioning himself as a potential challenger, raising the possibility of a multi-cornered contest.
