Many parts of Hassan district received moderate to heavy rains on Wednesday. Almost all hoblis in the district recorded more than the average rainfall expected in the 24 hours that ended at 8.30 a.m. on Thursday.
The heavy downpour that began around 6 p.m. on Wednesday continued up to 10.30 p.m. The motorists had a tough time reaching their homes. The incessant rains prevented the residents of Hassan from popping crackers.
A few shops at Konanur in Arakalgud taluk were flooded. Areca plantations at Lakkanahalli in the taluk were inundated. Many tanks are overflowing, flooding the neighbouring farmlands. The road connecting Markuli village with Hassan was flooded after the embankment of the Koushika tank breached. Vast farmlands at Savanthanahalli were flooded after the embankment of the Sriramadevara Katte was damaged due to the heavy rains.
Hassan MP Shreyas M. Patel visited the village and interacted with the farmers about the damage caused by the rainfall.
Parts of Sakaleshpur and Arakalgud taluks received heavy rains. Hanbalu, Hettur, and Yeslur in Sakaleshpur taluk recorded 72.9 mm, 78.6 mm, and 70.7 mm of rainfall, respectively. Konanud received 70.7 mm of rainfall. Gandur in Arakalgud taluk received 85.5 mm, Kalkere in Channarayapatna recorded 83.5 mm, and Markuli in Hassan taluk recorded 78 mm of rainfall.
Following heavy rains in the catchment area, the inflow to the Hemavathi reservoir at Goruru also increased. On Thursday morning, the inflow to the reservoir stood at 16,394 cusecs, against 7,108 cusecs registered last year on the day. The water level in the reservoir is nearing the maximum of 2,922 ft., forcing the dam authorities to issue a warning to people in the downstream.
G.K. Jyothi, the Superintending Engineer of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. (Hemavathi Circle), on Wednesday evening, issued a release stating that excess water could be released from the reservoir at any time. The people on either side of the river flow should be alert and move to safer places. The officer asked the engineers of the Water Resources Department and the revenue officials to alert the local people downstream.