Heavy rain blocks road, disrupts power supply

Rain continued to lash Chikmagalur district on Wednesday. The heavy rain threw normal life out of gear in Balehonnur, Mudigere and other parts of Chikmagalur. River Bhadra and its tributaries are in spate.

The road connecting Balehonnur and Koppa through Melpal was blocked at Jogi Saralu as bamboo trees fell on the road. Basarikatte - Jayapura road too was blocked for over two hours as a tree fell on the road at Theerthagundi on Wednesday afternoon.

A house belonging to Anand Poojary at Kundur in Herur gram panchayat limits in Koppa taluk was damaged as a huge tree fell over it. Wall and roof of the Government Primary School building at Angadi in Mudigere taluk collapsed due to rain, posing threat to the lives of students.

Koppa taluk tahsildar had declared holiday for schools and colleges on Wednesday due to heavy downpour in the taluk since Tuesday night. The rural areas are the worst hit as there has been disruption in power supply.

Bilalukoppa and Guddethota gram panchayats do not have electricity supply for the last nine days. Gram panchayat offices that function with the help of internet have stopped functioning.

Ashram School for tribal children at Menasinahadya has been deprived of electricity since 100 days and children staying in the hostel are living in darkness.

Despite complaining, the Mescom has failed to restore power supply. Lack of kerosene availability to the school is also posing a problem.

Upset over Mescom for not responding to complaints, Kavanahalla villagers caught hold of a lineman and forcefully took him to their village.

Increase in water level

With the rain resuming its pace, the water level in rivers including Hemavathi, Thunga, Bhadra, Japavathi, Chikkala and Oorubage, has increased.

Agriculturists who were ready for farming on Tuesday, have stopped the activities on the field.

The heavy rain that has been lashing Kottigehara, Guthi, Bhairapura, Hoskere, Devarunda, Oorubage and Sathiganahalli region since 20 days, has damaged robasta coffee.

Paddy saplings that were placed near the paddy fields for transplanting process too have submerged in water. Farmers in Uggehalli are worried over their paddy field facing the risk of submerging in Hemavathi river.