Bengaluru, 02 August (H.S.): Heavy rainfall across parts of Karnataka has boosted inflows into reservoirs in the Cauvery basin, offering some relief from water scarcity concerns, even as the downpour claimed three lives in Shivamogga district and disrupted rail movement in the Malnad region on Sunday.
Three members of a family, including a three-year-old boy, were killed after a rain-triggered landslide buried their shed at Indiranagar in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district in the early hours of Sunday.
Police identified the victims as Mallikarjun, 35, his wife Nagaveni, 28, and their son Santosh, 3, natives of Kokkaregaru village in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district. The family was asleep when a portion of a hillock collapsed on their shed around 2.30 am. Another person staying in a neighbouring shed suffered serious injuries and was admitted to a private hospital.
Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services, assisted by the police, launched a rescue operation and recovered the bodies from the debris. Continued rainfall in the region posed challenges to rescue and relief efforts.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said extremely heavy rainfall continued in parts of the Malnad and coastal belts. Agumbe in Shivamogga district recorded the highest rainfall of 197 mm during the 24 hours ending at 5.30 am on Sunday.
Gonikoppal in Kodagu received 66 mm, followed by Brahmavara in Udupi with 60 mm, Balehonnur in Chikkamagaluru with 58 mm and Sirsi in Uttara Kannada with 52.5 mm. Mangaluru airport recorded 37.8 mm, while Bengaluru received only trace rainfall.
The IMD also issued a three-hour nowcast warning for Uttara Kannada and Udupi districts, forecasting moderate rainfall with isolated intense spells and sustained winds reaching 40-50 kmph.
Authorities cautioned that the weather could cause temporary power disruptions, traffic snarls and damage to weak trees, kutcha structures and harvested crops. Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from waterbodies and take precautions against electrical hazards.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
