Madikeri: D.V. Sadananda Gowda, MP, and K.G. Bopaiah, Madikeri MLA, on Tuesday asked the district administration to be on alert and attend to relief and rescue operations in the wake of heavy rain and gale wreaking havoc in parts of Kodagu in the past few days.

They visited the spot where six persons, including four children, died in a landslide on Madikeri-Mekeri Road on Monday. "Fold the rule book" for some time while attending to disasters, Mr. Sadananda Gowda told the officials concerned at a review meeting held in the wake of the incident.

Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav said that he had taken steps to disburse compensation to the kin of the victims. Compensation to the kin of the victims could also be paid for the loss of property even if the victim did not have patta (title) for the sites, he added.

Mr. Sadananda Gowda asked Mr. Yadav to instruct the officials concerned to attend to distress calls immediately.

He appealed to the people to inform the Deputy Commissioner or the Superintendent of Police or the Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat on matters concerning public safety. The MP asked the secretaries of gram panchayats to stay put in their respective panchayats and identify weak houses, flood-prone areas to exercise caution and to set up rehabilitation centres to accommodate the affected people.

Mr. Bopaiah, responding to the lack of boats at Bengur near Cherambane in Madikeri taluk, asked Madikeri tahsildar Somaiah to provide additional funds to Madikeri Taluk Executive Officer to buy a new boat. President of the zilla panchayat H.S. Ashok, vice-president B.C. Neelamma, and president of the Madikeri Taluk Panchayat Kishore Kumar were present.

Rain

Heavy rain continues to lash Kodagu with Talacauvery receiving 268.7 mm rainfall and Bhagamandala 204.6 mm in the past 24 hours. The Cauvery is in spate. The Lakshmanateerta is also in spate and may areas in Virajpet taluk, including Kanur and Harihara are flooded. Paddy fields near Virajpet have been submerged as the Kadnur river is in spate. Bhagamandala-Madikeri and Bhagamandala-Aiyyangeri roads have been inundated. The Cauvery is flowing at least eight feet above the old bridge at Balamuri. The water level in the river is on the rise at Dubare, Betri and Karadogidu.

Many trees have been uprooted, disrupting traffic in some parts of the district. A hillock that came down on Sampaje Road in Madikeri taluk on Sunday has been cleared for traffic. Electricity supply has been disrupted as cables have snapped in many parts of the district owing to uprooting of trees. In Madikeri city, a tree fell on an autorickshaw carrying schoolchildren near Chain Gate on Monday. The autorickshaw driver was injured in the incident. Many localities in Madikeri are without electricity owing to uprooting of trees. Telephone lines too have snapped in many areas of the district.

Kutta received 84.36 mm rain in the past 24 hours. Srimangala recorded 178.4 mm, Ponnampet 100 mm, Gonicoppa 42 mm, and Virajpet 49 mm in Virajpet taluk. In Somwarpet taluk, Somwarpet town received 169 mm, Sunticoppa 24 mm and Kushalnagar 14.4 mm. Napoklu in Madikeri taluk recorded 138.6 mm rainfall. The water level in the Harangi reservoir on Tuesday stood at 2,856.36 feet as against its maximum level of 2,859 feet.

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