Madikeri, Jul 20 (DHNS): Bhagamandala was inundated and Madikeri -Talacauvery road link cut off by continuous rain in Kodagu district on Wednesday. The district administration declared a holiday for schools and colleges on July 20 as advance precaution.

Schools were shut in Bhagamandala on Wednesday as well. Entry has been restricted to Brahmagiri due to heavy rain. People were facilitated with boats to cross the waterlogged road in Bhagamandala-Ayyangeri.

The Cauvery river is in spate at Siddapur, Nelyahudikeri and Kushalnagar. Normal life was affected as water-logging damaged the paddy fields in Napoklu and villages contiguous with riverbed areas faced the threat of floods.

A house was damaged after a huge tree fell on its roof in Ashokpur. Power supply has been disrupted in many villages. The Balamuri mini bridge has been submerged. Road connectivity was cut off here too. Water level rose in Betri and Muttarumudi streams.

People from villages who came to the Virajpet shandy had to struggle to return home due to the incessant rain.

Around 300 houses in Kodangeri village, lying on the banks of the river Cauvery, face the threat of inundation. Notices have been issued to revenue inspectors to shift the people to safer places.

Revenue Officer Srinivas said that gruel centre will be opened in Karadigodu village if necessity demands.

79.36 mm rain
During the 24 hours ending on Wednesday at 8 am, an average rainfall of 79.36 mm was recorded in the district. The areas which received maximum rainfallare: Napoklu (83.6 mm), Madikeri (118.55), Sampaje (150) and Shantalli (170).

Water level in Harangi reservoir was 2,844.45 ft on Wednesday while the maximum level is 2,859 ft. The water level rose by 4 ft in a single day. The inflow increased to 5,081 cusecs.

If it rains like this for the next three days in all the catchment areas, all reservoirs in the state would get filled, said officials of India Meteorological Department and Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Cell.