Heavy Showers Return to Kodagu, KRS Inflow Rises Amid Orange Alert

Kodagu had experienced the southwest monsoon’s early onset in the third week of May, but much of June saw dry spells.

Madikeri: After a prolonged lull in rainfall, the monsoon appears to be regaining strength in Kodagu district, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an 'orange alert' until 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday. The forecast indicates a likelihood of intense rainfall over the next 24 hours.

Kodagu had experienced the southwest monsoon’s early onset in the third week of May, but much of June saw dry spells. However, rainfall has picked up over the last few days. Between Sunday and Monday morning, the district recorded an average of 71.6 mm of rainfall — a significant rise from the 8.54 mm received in the previous 24-hour period.

The cumulative rainfall in Kodagu since January now stands at 1,142.47 mm, more than double the 529.05 mm recorded during the same period last year. The recent showers were consistent and widespread, with Madikeri taluk receiving 99.60 mm and Virajpet taluk getting 71.80 mm. Other rainfall figures include Somwarpet (63.05 mm), Ponnampet (60.17 mm), and Kushalnagar (48.10 mm).

Bhagamandala, the origin point of the Cauvery River, witnessed one of the heaviest downpours, recording 141.60 mm. Other areas with notable rainfall include Shanthalli (106 mm), Srimangala (98 mm), Benguru GP in Madikeri (140.5 mm), Virajpet (78.60 mm), Ammathi (65 mm), Hudikeri (57.60 mm), and Ponnampet (55 mm).

Data from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) shows Kodagu has received 421 mm of rain since June 1, which is 16% higher than the normal average. Between June 1 and June 14, however, the district had seen a deficit, with rainfall falling short by 41%. The recent surge has helped bridge that gap, with the month's total now exceeding average expectations.

The ongoing downpour has also caused isolated damage to property. In Baichanahalli village, Kushalnagar taluk, a farmer’s house was partially destroyed. In Katakeri village near Sampaje in Madikeri taluk, a wall collapsed due to waterlogging. Revenue department officials have inspected both locations and reportedly provided compensation.

Meanwhile, increased rainfall has boosted the inflow into the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir downstream, which stood at over 13,800 cusecs as of Monday. The water level reached 120.20 feet with 43.29 tmcft of storage against a total capacity of 49.45 tmcft. Officials are optimistic that if the current inflow continues, the reservoir may reach its full capacity of 124.80 feet by the end of June.

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