Monuments classified as World Heritage by UNESCO inundated in Karnataka floods

Karnataka Floods

Water from the Naviluteertha Dam was released on Friday, leading to the inundation of monuments in Aihole and Pattadakal.

TNM Staff

Temple in Pattadakal

Unabated rainfall in Karnataka’s Bagalakot district has inundated UNESCO World Heritage temples in Aihole and Pattadakal. Water from the Naviluteertha Dam was released into the Malaprabha River on Friday, which led to the inundation of the heritage temples. Pattadakal is located 23 km away from Badami and Aihole at a distance of 35 km from the popular tourist destination. The monuments located in Aihole and Pattadakal were built by the Chalukyas between the 6th and 8th century CE.   According to Bagalakot Deputy Commissioner Ramachandran, the nine Hindu temples and a Jain sanctuary built by the Chalukyas in Pattadakal were inundated on Friday and continued to flood on Saturday. “The Virupaksha Temple, was built in 740 CE by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband's victory over southern kingdoms. This is the biggest tourist attraction here. Waterlogging is up to 5 ft above ground level currently,” DC Ramachandran added. Two cave temples and 12 other heritage temples in Aihole too were inundated. “So far we don’t have any human casualty in the district. There are some animal deaths. We have three rivers— Ghataprabha, Malaprabha and Krishna— all three have flooded their banks. Approximately till now, 70,000 people have been evacuated from low lying areas to safety,” Lokesh, SP of Bagalkot told TNM. DC Ramachandran says that the waterlogging at the heritage sites is dangerous if the situation persists as the water could erode the rocks used to build the temple. “So far 100 families have been trapped in Pattadakal’s Shirabadagi village close to the heritage structures. We have evacuated everyone from Aihole. The NDRF team tried to rescue them on Friday but they were unable to navigate the boats in Pattadakal. We requested the Indian Air Force to airlift the people who are trapped. We were not even able to give them food packets,” DC Ramachandran said. However, the stranded persons were successfully rescued on Saturday.      

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2YVKfk7
via IFTTT

Over 1,000 people in Mysuru shifted to relief camps, water from 4 reservoirs released

Karnataka Floods

Of the four, Kabini, Takara and Nugu reservoirs have overflown and over 2 lakh cusecs of water is currently being released.

TNM Staff

Nanjangud in Mysuru

Heavy downpour in Karnataka’s Mysuru district inundated several taluks including Nanjangud, Heggadadevana Kote and Hunsur on Friday. The rains continued on Saturday morning as well. According to the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Abhiram D Shankar, the Kabini, Takara and Nugu reservoirs overflowed and over 2 lakh cusecs of water is currently being released due to the incessant rainfall. The Mysuru-Ooty Road has been shut as the road near Mallanamoola was inundated on Saturday morning. The bus routes have been diverted via Varuna-Kuppagalu and then to Tarooru. The Hejjige, Rampura and Suttur bridges in Nanjangud taluk were completely inundated, thereby cutting off connectivity in the region. Nanjangud town, Halladakere, Topabeedi and surrounding areas were completely inundated. Deputy Commissioner Abhiram says that 34 acres of land and 102 homes were destroyed due to the floods. Seven relief camps have been set up in Girija Marriage Hall, Seetarama Marriage Hall, Bokkahalli, Saraswati Colony, Nanjangud Primary School, Chokkahalli government school, Janaki Rama Temple and Veerashaiva Mutt, and 617 people have been shifted out. Read: Karnataka floods: Full list of trains and buses cancelled or diverted on Saturday In Heggadadevana Kote, 433 acres of crops have been lost due to the outflow of water from the Kabini reservoir. Roads between Handpost-Saraguru and HD Kote-Mysuru have been shut. “Between HD Kote and Mysuru, the bridges in Haikere and Matakere villages have been submerged and hence the road has been shut,” DC Abhiram told TNM. In addition, the roads to Tumbasogu, Maadaapura, Chekkooru, Hommarahalli and MC Talalu have been shut as the Hosakote bridge has been submerged. The Shivalli-Kollagowdanahalli-Handpost road has been shut as well. Three relief camps have been set up in HD Kote, where 358 people have been shifted out of their homes. Hunsur taluk in Mysuru was also flooded as the water from the Taraka dam was released on Friday. The Hanagudu-Bellana-Hosahalli road has been shut, cutting off connectivity to Abbooru, Nilavaagilu and Shindenahalli villages. Roads between Hunsur-Hanagud and Hanagudu-Kirangoodu have also been shut. Six relief camps have been set up in Hunsur where the flood victims have been shifted. In wake of heavy rainfall, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services between Mysuru and Madikeri and from Mysuru to HD Kote were suspended, As on Saturday morning, the outflow in the Kabini reservoir was 1,02,083 cusecs, outflow in Harangi Dam was 15,000 cusecs, 4,900 cusecs from the Taraka Dam and 9,300 cusecs from the Nugu Dam.  Meanwhile, the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam officials have issued a flood alert and requested those living in the periphery of the reservoir to evacuate. The KRS Dam level as on Saturday is at 108 ft and will reach full storage once it hits 124 ft.  Read: Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast in 7 Karnataka districts till Sunday morning    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2KC2HoJ
via IFTTT

‘How can we outrun water?': Shivamogga residents evacuated amidst relentless rain

Floods

15 relief camps have been opened to shelter over 2,500 people across the district.

Prajwal Bhat

Friday started like any other day for Rahman and his family, residents of Mandakki Batti colony. Rahman ekes out a living by selling puffed rice but in the last two days, he admits, talk of his business has ceased in his household. "The water level on our street was steadily rising so we concentrated our efforts on collecting all the important papers and family photos in our house so that we are ready to move at a moment's notice," he says, before adding, "We had made plans in advance but how can we outrun water?" As the rains continued to lash in Shivamogga and water entered his house, Rahman's family of eight decided to shift to the relief camp that had opened in a Ram temple near their house. The family's plight is similar to hundreds of people living in low-lying areas in Shivamogga city and other parts of the district after unrelenting rains prompted district authorities to intensify evacuation efforts and open relief camps in the district. Relief camps opened 15 relief camps have been opened - 7 in Shivamogga, 6 in Soraba, 1 in Bhadravati and 1 in Theerthahalli. More than 2500 people are currently sheltered in the relief camps.  Three villages in Soraba taluk - Shakunahalli, Ballibailu and Thuvilikoppa - are marooned and residents have been evacuated while those residing in Hosanagara and Theerthahalli are grappling with rising water levels. 60 villages have been affected and more than 340 houses have been damaged due to the rains. "We began rescue operations in Shivamogga and Sagar today but waterlogging on the route connecting villages is hampering our efforts. This is stagnant water and we are using boats to rescue people in these areas," explained Vinay Kedar, a Civil Defence official part of a 10-member team involved in rescue operations.  One death was reported on Thursday after 65-year-old Rathnamma was washed away in the waters. This was the only death reported on Thursday Water-logging hampers rescue efforts Water-logging has blocked roads connecting Theerthahalli and Shivamogga, Hosanagara and Udupi, Shikaripura and Anantpura, and Soraba and Jade. The highest rainfall was reported in Hosanagara (230 mm) and the red warning issued in the district has been extended up to Sunday. Even though Shivamogga district receives ample rainfall every year, residents agree that this year's rainfall has been relentless and fierce, battering the villages along the Western Ghats.  "We shifted around 150 people to a relief camp at the Ramana Shetty park as soon as we heard that water was entering people's houses. We are providing basic health care and two kits - one with kitchen items like rice and oil, and another with items like bedsheets, towels," says Manjanna SG, a volunteer. Despite having the basic necessities, Rahman and his family are unsure if they can return to their home and begin rebuilding their lives. "It rains every year here but this is not the case every year. If the municipal corporation does not make plans to prevent waterlogging in low-lying areas, this will occur every time there are rains", warns Rahman. With more rains expected, district officials requested a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team to conduct rescue operations in the district. The NDRF team is currently on stand-by.  Further cause for worry is the conditions at the Tunga and Linganamakki reservoir. While water levels at the Tunga reservoir have reached maximum capacity, the water levels at the Linganamakki reservoir has crossed 1,800 feet. The maximum limit of the reservoir is 1819 feet.  Civil Defence personnel will conduct rescue operations in Thadagadale near Sagar on Saturday. "We are hoping that the rain recedes and we are able to reach villages by road itself," added Vinay.  It is a hope shared by district officials, who have declared Saturday as a holiday, but expect the deputy commissioner's office to be a hive of activity to ensure that the rains and floods do not lead to further casualties.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2YKbcIx
via IFTTT

Karnataka floods: Full list of trains and buses cancelled or diverted on Saturday

Disaster

Continuous rains and landslides reported in several areas have affected transport services in Karnataka.

Soumya Chatterjee

Incessant rains in Karnataka have triggered landslides, blocking roads in the state that connect major cities within and outside the state. As of Saturday morning, fresh landslides were reported at Doddakoppalu near Marenahalli on Friday night. Vehicles moving towards Dharmasthala and Mangaluru were sent back to Sakleshpur due to heavy rains as further landslides are expected. The government has advised that vehicles lined from Gundya side towards Bengaluru be recalled. All bus routes through Shiradi Ghat will be closed for vehicles till Sunday morning until further notice.  Bus routes from Bengaluru to Sringeri, Koppa, Mudigere, Sakleshpur, Horanadu, Kalsa, Sringeri, Sakleshpur, Dharmasthala, Mangaluru, Sultan batteri, Kozhikode and Thrissur are closed.  Read: Karnataka floods: Death toll climbs to 16, more than 2 lakh people evacuated There are roadblocks on Sagar-Honnavar Road as well, due to heavy rain and landslides at Mavinagundi. The Mysuru-Nanjangud Road continues to remain blocked with all vehicles deviated through Narasipur.  Uppinangadi-Nelyadi road is also blocked near Kuttelu, the Dharmasthala-Mangaluru road is blocked near Chakrabetta and the Chitradurga-Shivamogga road is blocked near Holehonnur. Bus services towards Kushalnagar and Madikeri have been stopped as the road connecting Ramanathapura-Konanur is also blocked. Roadblocks near Keralapura has prompted services towards KR Nagar and Mysuru to be operated via Rudrapatna. There are no services towards Kangal due to the roadblock in Kattepura.  Holenarasipura-Channarayapatna road is also blocked with vehicles being operated via Agrahara. Tungabhadra river backwaters have been flooded and this has resulted in roads getting blocked at Harihar and surrounding villages. Sarathi-Chikkabidari, Harihar-Tavaragundi, Harihar-Ukkadagathri routes are closed as no alternative routes are there. These blockages have caused more than 20 KSRTC buses to be halted abruptly. Aid and relief have been provided to the passengers with the help of local administration.  Due to landslides on railway tracks and the flooding, the South Western Railways have also had to suspend operations on many routes.  Here is the list of cancellations and partial cancellations: 1) T. No 56276 Mysuru-Talaguppa Passenger and 56275 Talaguppa-Mysuru Passenger is partially cancelled between Shivamogga and Talaguppa. 2) T. No 20651 Bengaluru-Talaguppa Express and 20652 Talaguppa- Bangalore Express partially cancelled between Sagar Jambagaru-Talaguppa. 3) T. No 50405  Miraj Londa-Castle Rock Passenger and Belagavi- Castle Rock Passenger cancelled between Belagavi-Castle Rock.  5) T. No 16589 Bengaluru City Junction (Bengaluru) to Kolhapur partially cancelled from Miraj Junction Rani and Chennamma Express – 16590 – C Shahumharaj T to Bengaluru City Junction cancelled between Miraj and Kolhapur. 6) T. No 12630 Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express (Via Hubballi) is diverted via Manmad Junction-Rayadurg route The following trains will be short terminated. 1.Train No.20651/20652 Journey Commencing 09.08.19 and 10.09.19 will be partially cancelled between Sagar Jambugagaru-Talaguppa 2.57275/56276 Journey Commencing on 09.08.19 and 10.08.19 will be partially cancelled between Shivamogga Town - Talaguppa 3.16227/16228  Journey Commencing on 09.08.19 will be partially cancelled between Shivamogga Town- Talaguppa.  4.16542 Pandharpur Bangalore express will stop at all stations from Hubballi to Arsikere due to cancellation of .56916/56915 UBL-JRU passenger. Also read: Heavy rains in Karnataka; Full list of trains and routes affected

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2OO6bde
via IFTTT

Karnataka floods: Cops lathicharge flood-hit locals who stalled CM BSY’s convoy

Controversy

Many have taken to social media to criticise the Chief Minister for continuing to sit inside his car while the police were taking action against protesters.

Harsha Raj Gatty

In the backdrop of massive flooding in North Karnataka, locals who blocked Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's convoy were lathicharged and driven away by the police. On a tour of flood-hit areas, the Chief Minister was visiting Konnur taluk in Gadag district on Friday. A video doing the rounds on social media shows a large number of villagers surrounding the Chief Minister’s car. They had reportedly wished to convey their grievances. The police, who failed to control the crowds, reportedly chased them away with lathi-charge. Police officers escorting the convoy are seen using ropes to hold the crowds back. In a scuffle that broke out between the police and the protesters, officers are seen beating a few men. One cop is seen beating a protester twice with the lathi. Friday: Flood affected people protest when CM BS Yediyurappa visited their marooned village Konnur in Gadag district. Police lathi charge them in front of CM #Karnatakaflood pic.twitter.com/2bFzq8ckvp — Soumya Chatterjee (@Csoumya21) August 10, 2019 The Chief Minister has drawn flak for the incident; many have taken to social media to criticise him for continuing to sit inside his car with no efforts to stop the police from taking action against the people. Chief Minister Yediyurappa had visited Belagavi district on Friday morning to review the flood situation following which he visited Gadag for a review. The people, who had come to meet the Chief Minister, have lost their houses and fields due to floods and hoped for relief funds from the government. Rains and resultant floods continue to wreak havoc in Karnataka's northern and coastal districts. 19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 2 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and 11 columns of Army have been deployed to rescue people. More than 1.5 lakh people have been evacuated from low-lying areas. More than 90,000 people have been shifted to the 467 relief camps opened in eight districts. Officials of the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy are also positioned in the flood-affected areas. Receiving no respite, on Friday, the Met Department warned that there would be extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Shivamogga.   Content provided by https://ift.tt/2TkGHmv and Scribes Media Ventures LLP)   Read:  Karnataka floods: Death toll climbs to 16, more than 2 lakh people evacuated How a group of eight locals rescued people stuck in flooded homes in Kodagu

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/33rs31m
via IFTTT

Sudha Murthy donates Rs 10 crore for flood relief in Karnataka

Karnataka Floods

This is not the first time that Sudha Murthy has contributed for flood relief work in the state.

TNM Staff

With floods ravaging the northern and coastal parts of Karnataka, Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy has donated a sum of Rs 10 crore for flood relief. Infosys Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Infosys.  This is not the first time that Sudha Murthy has contributed for flood relief work in the state. Last year, she had donated Rs 25 crore for rehabilitation work, including construction of houses in flood-hit Kodagu district.  “Infosys has grown from just Rs. 10,250 and today it is an IT giant, with headquarters in Bengaluru and providing jobs for lakhs of people worldwide. This would not have been possible without the support of the people of Karnataka, the successive governments and the local talent pool. We believe in giving back to the society and now our energies are focussed on that. Infosys will construct houses for the people in Kodagu and the government can provide other facilities such as roads and drinking water,” she had said.  Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday said that PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken to him over the phone and collected information about the flood situation in the state.  CM Yediyurappa said that the Union government has assured funds for the state and has promised full cooperation.  The loss is presently estimated to be around Rs 5000 crore and a proper estimation will be done after the situation improves, said the CM.  Yediyurappa has also urged people to contribute to the CM’s Relief Fund. "I appeal to donors with folded hands that we are in a peculiar situation. Please donate generously,” the CM said, while speaking to reporters after visiting the flood-ravaged areas of Belagavi.  Meanwhile, the death toll due to the floods in the state currently stands at 16, with 2,07,212 people evacuated and 1,41,683 persons shifted to relief camps.  The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall in the state over the next five days starting from Friday. The IMD in its forecast said there will be isolated heavy rainfall to extremely heavy rainfall in seven districts until Sunday morning.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2MbaRb1
via IFTTT

Karnataka floods: Death toll climbs to 16, more than 2 lakh people evacuated

Disaster

The district administration in Kodagu has said that the death toll could rise.

TNM Staff

On Friday evening, the official death toll in the floods in Karnataka stood at 16, as rescue and relief operations continue. The situational report prepared by the Chief Minister’s office said the orange warning is still in place for the Upper Krishna catchment area. Among the 16 deaths, eight were reported in Belagavi, two in Uttara Kannada, one each in Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi and three in Dharwad. However, more deaths were confirmed by district administrations in Kodagu. The DC confirmed that seven people have died, out of which five people were trapped in a landslide. There are eight others who have been reported to be missing.  As of Friday evening, 2,07,212 people have been moved away to safety and Nodal officers are camping in vulnerable villages. In a total of 576 relief camps, 1,41,683 number of people have taken shelter. Clean drinking water, food and other relief materials have been provided in relief camps. Rescue and relief operations are underway by a joint team of Fire and Emergency, SDRF, NDRF and Army. Four Indian Air Force choppers have been deployed to Belagavi (stationed at Hubbali). One Indian Navy chopper has been sent to Uttara Kannada. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has been travelling flood-affected areas and conducting aerial surveys of the flood. The CMO report said Rs 100 crores have been released to flood-affected districts for immediate flood relief measures. Food and medicines are being air-dropped in seven villages (Bidralli, Dongri, Heggarani, Kalleshwar, Heggar, Ramanguli and Kaigari) of Uttara Kannada. As per initial estimates, 1,410 km of roads have been damaged and 211 bridges, 10 minor irrigation tanks, 4,019 government buildings, 92 water supply infrastructure, 2,575 electrical poles and four sanitation structures were damaged in Belagavi alone.  In Dharwad, 413 km of roads damaged, 47 bridges/culverts, 19 tanks, 71 canals,158 government building have been damaged. Minor landslides have taken place and several trees have fallen – a few stretches of NH-66, NH 275, SH-91 (Virajpet-Makuta) have been damaged in Kodagu.  The report added that the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre has predicted scattered moderate rain with isolated placed likely to receive heavy rainfall. Belagavi district is most likely to receive scattered to fairly widespread with moderate rain for the next four days. Coastal and Malnad regions in Karnataka are likely to receive widespread with heavy rains for the next two days.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/31rt9bB
via IFTTT