JOIN USThe Rivers Kumaradhara and Netravathi, which otherwise would be in full flow during the months of May - June, have now dried up in Uppinangadi, due to the absence of rains.
Both the rivers, by losing their liveliness seem like drought lands.
River Kumaradhara, flowing from Subrahmanya joins Gundya stream near Ulipu in Kutruppadi village and progresses towards Uppinangadi to join River Netravathi, expanding its width.
During rainy season, the river will be in full swing. But, no such scene was to be seen in this monsoon so far.
Also, there would be occasional floods during the first two months of monsoon in River Nethravathi in Dharmasthala, while this year, the river has gone dry.
The people of Puttur are apprehensive in the wake of River Kumaradhara getting dry. At present, a dam built at Nekkiladi, provides drinking water to Puttur.
If the river gets completely dry, the drinking water would be a serious problem in future. Also, the River Nethravathi, the lifeline of Bantwal and Mangalore taluks, is about to dry and the river bank is filled with sand.
The water flows only at the middle of the river and the people fear of water woes.
Spread of diseases
As there are no sufficient rains, the garbage in the city has not been washed away as usual. Generally, the gutters would be clean during heavy rains.
But, the present situation would possibly lead to the stagnation of waste, giving more room for the spread of epidemic diseases.
Unabated sand mining
As the Netravati River is partially dry, the illegal sand mining is being carried out unabatedly in Uppinagadi.
In places Nekkiladi and Bollaru in the limits of Ilantila village, the extraction of sand is being done in the middle of the river, using mining lorries.
Sand mining is round the clock activity in Kumaradhara River at Koila, Alankaru and Perabe. People doubt that the mining is illegal.
They are also questioning that whether the move of issuing of licence to sand miners during rainy season, if at all the licence was given.