The driver had ignored the overflowing Malati river in Thirthahalli taluk in Shimoga district and waded through the fender level water when the incident happened.
Six rivers in spate, two state highways blocked, train services hit by landslip, thousands of acres of agricultural land under water and functioning of schools and colleges affected - this is the picture of the southern districts of Chikmagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga, Kodagu, Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Hassan in the last 24 hours following heavy rains.
A light commercial vehicle carrying cement fell into the river from the Anwalli Bridge killing both driver and the attendant.
The driver had ignored the overflowing Malati river in Thirthahalli taluk in Shimoga district and waded through the fender level water when the incident happened.
Thirthahalli police investigating into the incident said the accident occurred due the callousness of the driver. Both the driver and attendant hailed from Shikaripur and one of the bodies has been found.
In Shimoga district the fabled Mandagadde bird sanctuary, famous for median egret, darters, cormorants, herons, cranes and other waterfowls was completely submerged due to flooding of Thunga river.
The Shimoga-Mangalore state highway was also blocked due to water logging for more than 3 hours on Tuesday.
Hornadu, Sagar and Thirthahalli also experienced heavy rains. Authorities have released over one lakh cusecs of water from the Gajanur dam, which has caused flooding in several areas in the downstream.
Other minor rivers such as Varada and Kumudavati were also flowing above danger levels. District authorities have asked the people, living on the river banks, to avoid venturing into the river.
The Sakleshpur town and Shirady ghats too received heavy to very heavy rains.
The Hemavati River which passes through Sakleshpur was flowing over the danger level and partially submerged the Kushalamma temple, for the first time in the last ten years.
A few minor landslides have occurred on the hills of Sakleshpur.
A major landslip occurred at Yedakumeri on Bangalore-Mangalore railway line in the Shirady ghat section on Tuesday afternoon and affected the rail traffic between the two cities. Another landslide occurred at Kappalli on National Highway 75 (formerly NH 48).
Agumbe and Charmady ghat also suffered landslides. Traffic on Agumbe Ghat road between Mangalore and Shimoga was affected for few hours on Tuesday, due to the uprooting of trees.
Charmady ghat suffered yet another landslip in the last 48 hours at Hairpin curve 6 on Mangalore-Chikmagalur state highway 234. Traffic had been diverted from Ujire-Shirady-Hassan-Chikmagalur, according to PWD officials.
The road will not be ready for traffic till Wednesday as the clearing operations have been affected due to heavy rains, they added.
Bhagamandala area in Kodagu district received heavy rains and as a result the Talacauvery-Madikeri road was blocked.
One person (yet to be identified) died at Napoklu due torrential waters.
Heavy rains lashed the coastal areas too. Dakshina Kannada had the ‘doubling effect’ due to rains on the ghats as well rains on the coast and Nethravati, Kumaradhara rivers are in spate causing inundation of many areas in Buntwal and Puttur taluks.
According to district officials over 200 houses in the river banks have been inundated in the two taluks. District officials have put the rescue machinery on high alert.
At Udupi rains continued to lash for the last 24 hours, filling the Swarna river reservoir at Puthige to the brim.
The town, which was facing a drinking water scarcity, heaved a sigh of relief following the filling of reservoir.
Uttara Kannada district which had experienced severe shortage of rains (up to 39% according to district figures) today reported all the six rivers getting their monsoon look back.
According to district statistics Linganamakki reservoir in Uttara Kannada district has gained 20 feet of water, in just 48 hours, due to heavy rains in the Ghats.
All other six reservoirs including Kadra, Kodasalli, Supa, Thattihalla, Bommanahalli and Gerusoppa have also received good inflow. Uttara Kannada has received a total of 596 mm rains in just 24 hours. While highest rains in the coastal region was recorded at Kollur in Kundapur taluk (900 mm).
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