Entry to Waterbodies Banned, Heavy Vehicle Movement Restricted in Kodagu as Monsoon Precaution

Water from the Cauvery River has overflowed onto the road by about 3 feet near Holekere in Karadigodu village, close to Siddapur. — Photo: The Kodagu Express

MADIKERI: In anticipation of heavy rainfall during the ongoing monsoon season, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja has announced strict preventive measures, including a blanket ban on public access to all waterbodies across the district. The directive, issued on Monday, has taken immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

To ensure public safety and prevent accidents, authorities have barred residents and tourists from visiting waterfalls, rivers, streams, ponds, reservoirs, and dam sites. Activities such as swimming, diving, and adventure sports in these areas have also been expressly prohibited. Any violation will attract legal consequences under Section 51(B) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, along with other applicable laws, the order stated.

Alongside these restrictions, vehicular movement within the district is also being regulated during the peak monsoon period. From June 6 to July 5, the movement of specific categories of heavy vehicles will be curtailed. The order applies to timber and sand-laden trucks, goods carriers weighing over 18,500 kg, bullet tankers, ship cargo containers, and long-body multi-axle vehicles.

However, exceptions have been made for essential services. Vehicles transporting LPG and fuel, milk delivery trucks, government service vehicles, educational institution buses, and all forms of public transportation, including multi-axle buses, are exempt from the restrictions.

The measures come in the wake of repeated landslides in the hilly district during past monsoons, leading to casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure and private property. Officials highlighted that the region’s rugged terrain, sharp bends, and steep slopes increase the risk of landslides, particularly when the soil is heavily saturated due to continuous rainfall.

“With monsoon showers already underway, moisture levels in the soil have risen significantly. Allowing heavy vehicles on such terrain may aggravate the chances of landslides,” an official release noted.

To enforce compliance, the Superintendent of Police has been empowered to install appropriate signboards under Section 116 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Check posts will be set up at key entry points, including Kushalnagar and Sampaje on National Highway 275. A combination of staff deployment and mobile patrol units will ensure round-the-clock monitoring.

Authorities have urged the public to cooperate, emphasising that these measures are crucial to minimise risks, protect lives, and preserve Kodagu’s vulnerable ecosystem during the monsoon season.

To advertise on The Kodagu Express website, kindly call us at 9108795369 or mail us at thekodaguexpress@gmail.com 

Join The Kodagu Express WhatsApp Group: CLICK HERE 

Follow us on Instagram and X(Twitter)