Shivamogga: Even as the monsoon has intensified across Shivamogga district, a 65-year-old man has gone missing and is feared to have been swept away by the swollen Malathi River near Agumbe. Ramappa, a resident of Kelur village, reportedly went out to tend to his garden on Monday evening. Concern grew when his clothes and slippers were found abandoned on the riverbank. Police and fire department personnel have launched an intensive search operation in the overflowing river to trace him.In view of the heavy rainfall, authorities have declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the severely affected taluks of Hosanagara, Sagar and Thirthahalli.In Shivamogga city, due to continuous downpour, a house collapsed in the New Mandli area. Shivamogga MLA SN Chennabasappa visited the spot, interacted with the affected family and directed municipal authorities to expedite relief measures and arrange temporary shelter.The district recorded 169.79 mm of rainfall between July 1 and July 7. Thirthahalli received the highest rainfall at 352.50 mm, followed by Hosanagara with 319.80 mm, while Bhadravathi recorded the lowest at 42.20 mm.Heavy rainfall in the catchment areas has significantly boosted inflows into the district’s major reservoirs. The Tunga Reservoir at Gajanur is receiving an inflow of 46,385 cusecs, necessitating the release of 43,305 cusecs downstream.The Linganamakki reservoir received an inflow of 29,043 cusecs following 128.4 mm of rainfall in its catchment. The reservoir’s water level has risen to 1,754.40 ft, with storage standing at 22.08 TMC, or 14.56% of its live capacity. However, this remains considerably lower than the corresponding level last year, when the reservoir stood at 1,793.65 ft with 53.42% storage.Meanwhile, the Bhadra reservoir’s water level stood at 140 ft against its full reservoir level of 186 ft. It currently holds 27.231 TMC of water against its total capacity of 71.535 TMC. The reservoir is receiving an inflow of 8,117 cusecs, while only 212 cusecs is being released. With the weather department forecasting continued heavy rainfall across the Malnad region, district authorities have issued a high alert and urged residents living along riverbanks to remain vigilant.
