Heavy Rains Lash Kodagu; Woman Killed in Virajpet, Red Alert Issued

A power pole collapsed following heavy rain in Kodagu. Photo by The Kodagu Express.

MADIKERI/VIRAJPET: Kodagu district continued to reel under the impact of incessant rain on Saturday, with widespread disruption to daily life and essential services. In a tragic incident, a 50-year-old woman, identified as Gowri, was killed in Arji village, Virajpet taluk, when a tree fell on a labourers' quarters. The incident occurred while she was washing utensils, police said.

The district has been experiencing heavy downpours, causing water levels in rivers and streams to rise alarmingly. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Kodagu till Sunday, warning of more intense rainfall.

Talacauvery, the origin of the river Cauvery, has recorded 127 mm of rainfall since Friday and a cumulative 525.12 mm so far this year. Bhagamandala has received 448 mm so far. The Triveni Sangama in Bhagamandala saw a surge in water level, prompting concerns about connectivity to nearby areas such as Napoklu if the rains persist.

Power outages have been reported across the district, particularly in Madikeri, Ammathi, Arapattu, Kadanga and Poodavad, mostly due to trees falling on electric lines amid gusty winds. At Ammathi, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) staff managed to restore power after trimming tree branches. Similar efforts were undertaken in Kadanga village, where locals and officials used earthmoving equipment to remove a tree that had collapsed on power cables.

In Siddapur, a tree fall briefly halted traffic, while the Bhagamandala-Karike interstate highway to Kerala was blocked near Kottemale due to another massive tree collapse. Forest department personnel swiftly cleared the road.

With more rain expected, authorities have urged residents to remain alert and avoid venturing out unless necessary.

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