Madikeri, August 20: Though the intensity of the rain is subsidized in the district, Madikeri taluk has received rainfall even on Monday. People heaved a sigh of relief as its raining moderately. But the quantity of the loss is increasing with the fresh landslides. The rescue operations were continued even on Monday.

Bodies of mother and son were found at a ravine in Mukkodlu village. While searching for the missing people at Mukkodlu village, the NDRF team found the bodies at the ravine. But it was not sure whether they were washed away or trapped in the ravine while escaping.

Fear of thieves

Amidst the grief, the distressed people of the district have been facing another threat. When they were taking shelter at relief camps, their houses were being robbed in their villages. The reports of theft cases are being reported in some villages like Jodupala where the thieves entered the abandoned houses and made away with the valuables. As this region has access from the Dakshina Kannada district through Sampaje, the authorities have been checking all vehicles coming through Sampaje gate.

As the Chamundeshwari Nagar and Indira Nagar extensions in Madikeri are deserted, the thieves have been doing their business. It is said that TVs and gas cylinders in some houses were stolen.

Hanging bridge collapsed

The hanging bridge constructed across the Cauvery river six years ago near Kudige village to connect 20 villages of Periyapatna of Mysuru district was damaged due to the force of water. The force of water was increased in the confluence of Harangi and Cauvery rivers, the ropes of the hanging bridge on either side were damaged.

Four houses damaged

Two houses which were submerged in the water were collapsed at Cauvery extension in Kudige gram panchayat limits and two more houses at Seegehosur and Sita Colony were also collapsed.

Connecting bridge collapsed

A bridge constructed to connect Mysuru district Kanagalu hobli with Madikeri, across the Cauvery river at Hanumantapura village was damaged as the road on either side of the bridge was collapsed. As a result, movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge was suspended.

Relief camp opened

Total four relief camps were opened in Kudige and Kudumangaluru gram panchayat limits. Hundreds of distressed people were given shelter at the relief camps at Kudige, Madalapura, Hulugunda and Mullusoge government schools. Local administrations and voluntary organizations have been supporting them.

The water level is receding gradually. As a result, residents have been cleaning their houses. Following the order of the district administration, bleaching powder and phenols are being distributed for cleaning purpose.

Manure washed away

As more water is released from Harangi reservoir, the water gushed into the Kudumangaluru cooperative society godown situated on the river bank and around 5 loads of chemical fertilizer was washed away in the water.

Before the water gushed into the godown, the locals and fire brigade personnel have shifted around 7 loads of fertilizer to safe places. Along with the fertilizer, 20 bags of rice was also damaged, sources said.



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New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was taken by surprise during its ongoing search for a new head coach for the Indian national football team, when it received an application from none other than former Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.

According to a report in the Times of India, Xavi’s name was listed among several other applicants, including former India head coach Stephen Constantine and ex-Liverpool player Harry Kewell. What raised eyebrows was that the application had been sent from Xavi’s personal email address. However, the contact number field was left blank, which left AIFF officials unsure about how to proceed.

Confirming the development, AIFF’s National Team Director Subrata Paul told TOI, “It’s correct that Xavi’s name was there. The application was emailed to the AIFF.”

Despite the excitement around such a high-profile name, the AIFF had to reject Xavi’s application due to budgetary limitations. A member of the AIFF's technical committee admitted that while it was flattering to receive Xavi’s interest, it was simply not feasible. “Even if Xavi was genuinely interested in Indian football and could be convinced to take up the job, we would need a lot of money,” the official told TOI.

Xavi had earlier stated in an interview that he closely follows Indian football, largely due to the increasing presence of Spanish coaches in the Indian Super League (ISL).

Xavi Hernandez, a product of FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. Known for his vision and passing accuracy, he played 767 official matches for Barcelona, forming a formidable midfield trio alongside Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

During his playing career at Barcelona, Xavi won five La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies, and three UEFA Champions League titles. After leaving the club in 2015, he joined Al Sadd in Qatar, where he added four more trophies before retiring in 2019. On the international stage, Xavi was a key part of the Spanish national team that won the UEFA Euro titles in 2008 and 2012, and the FIFA World Cup in 2010.

As a coach, Xavi enjoyed notable success with Barcelona as well, leading the team to victory in the 2023 Supercopa de España and the 2022–23 La Liga season.