Date:04/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/04/stories/2009070452140300.htm

Karnataka - Madikeri

Monsoon picks up in Kodagu

Staff Correspondent

Agricultural activities have gained momentum in the district

A control room has been set up at the Deputy Commissioner’s office
Kodagu has received an average rainfall of 552.74 mm from January to July 3

Water aplenty: The old bathing ghat at Triveni Sangama in Bhagamandala in Kodagu was submerged on Friday following heavy rain.

Madikeri: Monsoon has picked up in entire Kodagu. Talacauvery, the birthplace of the Cauvery, and Bhagamandala areas received good rain in the last 24 hours (8 a.m. on Thursday to 8 a.m. on Friday), according to information received here on Friday.

The water-level in the Cauvery is steadily rising at several places, including at the Triveni Sangama in Bhagamandala. Heavy rain occurred in Bhagamandala throughout Friday even as the water-level in the river almost touched the Bhagamandala-Madikeri road and Bhagamandala-Aiyyangeri road.

Farmers, who were keeping their fingers crossed owing to delayed monsoon, have taken up agricultural activities in full swing, according to reports received from several parts of the district.

However, rainfall in the district is still less compared to that in the same period last year.

Thick fog engulfed Madikeri city throughout Friday. Residents of areas such as Chamundeshwarinagar, Indiranagar and Jyotinagar are exercising care as there may be landslips if rain intensifies in the next 48 hours.

The district administration has geared up to meet any eventuality arising out of excessive rainfall. A control room has been set up to function round the clock at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here. Personnel manning the control room will initiate quick action in case of rain-related calamity.

Bhagamandala recorded 83.4 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours. Shantalli, which is a high rainfall area in Somwarpet taluk, recorded 75.2 mm rainfall in the same period.

Elsewhere, Napoklu received 52.8 mm rainfall, Ammathi 49.3 mm, Sampaje 48.8 mm, Srimangala 46 mm, Madikeri city 43 mm, Ponnampet 37.2 mm, Hudikeri 35 mm, Somwarpet town 31.20 mm, Virajpet 27.3 mm, Balele 20 mm, Shanivarasante 17 mm and Sunticoppa received 13.4 mm rainfall in the same period.

Kodagu has received an average rainfall of 552.74 mm from January to July 3 this year.

This is less than the last year’s tally of 847.24 mm in the same period.

Madikeri taluk has received an average of 791.41 mm rainfall from January to July 3 as against 1193.58 mm in the same period last year. Virajpet taluk has received an average rainfall of 567.77 mm this year as against the last year’s 797.90 mm. Somwarpet taluk has recorded an average rainfall of 299.04 mm this year as against the last year’s 550.23 mm.

The Harangi reservoir is gradually filling. The water-level in the reservoir on Friday stood at 2,807.52 ft as against the maximum of 2,859 ft. The water-level in the corresponding period last year was 2,839.61 ft. Inflow recorded on Friday was 1,682 cusecs.