Bengaluru: Widespread heavy rains across Karnataka on Tuesday triggered flooding, water release from dams, and large-scale disruption of normal life in several districts.
In Mandya, the release of 1.20 lakh cusecs of water from the Krishna Raja Sagar and Kabini reservoirs has led to the Cauvery river swelling dangerously near Srirangapattana. Several low-lying areas in the historic town and its outskirts are inundated.
The famed Ranganathittu bird sanctuary, which draws large numbers of tourists, has been partially submerged, forcing the Forest Department to suspend boating and restrict visitor entry. Officials said precautionary steps have been taken to prevent damage to infrastructure, while farmers reported loss of standing crops in submerged farmlands along the riverbanks.
In Belagavi district, relentless rainfall in the Western Ghats led to the release of 10,000 cusecs of water from the Naviluteertha Dam. The district administration has issued flood alerts in downstream areas and urged villagers to shift to safer locations.
Authorities also advised farmers to move their cattle and livestock to higher ground as a precautionary measure. Teams of officials and volunteers have been kept on standby to respond to emergencies.
Meanwhile, Hubballi city and surrounding areas continued to witness heavy downpours since Monday night, prompting the district administration to declare a holiday for schools and colleges. Roads in several parts of the city were waterlogged, causing traffic snarls and inconvenience to residents.
Disaster management teams have been deployed to monitor vulnerable areas and provide relief if required.
Authorities across the affected districts are closely monitoring the situation, with officials warning that further rainfall could worsen flooding.
The State Disaster Management Authority has appealed to people in low-lying regions to remain alert and cooperate with evacuation efforts where necessary.
