MADIKERI: While rainfall subsides in central and north Kodagu, heavy, continuous rains lash south Kodagu, flooding Makutta completely.
A lorry-loader, Sharath (24) was washed off in the flood in Makutta, Kodagu border. The deceased went missing on Tuesday night, last seen loading stones to a lorry at Makutta. The police on Wednesday evening found his dead body, washed off 1.5 km downhill at Makutta. His body has been kept at Virajpet mortuary and will be retrieved by Lorry Association members.
Over five hotels, some dating back to pre-independence era, have been completely destroyed, following heavy downpour. Many houses in the area have collapsed by the flooded waters. A government Malayali school in Makutta is on the verge of complete destruction.
Kerala police, Virajpet police, fire tenders and forest officials were involved in relief and rescue operation in the border area of Kerala-Kodagu. Makutta-Thalaserry Highway has been cut off completely following flood after Makutta recorded over ten inches of rainfall in the past 24 hours. “Between 500 and 1000 trees seem to have uprooted in the region,” confirmed wildlife official Sudhakar. The residents of Makutta are terrified after heavy rains that have lashed the town brutally, last of this kind being reportedly witnessed nearly 5 decades ago.
While the rest of the district is witnessing decreased rainfall, the aftermath of heavy rains continues to haunt the people. Many villages in the district are suffering without electricity for over a week now. “CESCOM has incurred a loss of over 53.17 lakh,” confirmed B Somashekar, district executive engineer. Over 300 linemen have been working simultaneously to fix the power lines, yet the work seems never ending as many transformers are dysfunctional and lot more electric poles have been uprooted. Two cattle died of electrocution in Somwarpet taluk.
Many farms in Virajpet taluk have been flooded with water incurring huge crop loss. A lorry was stuck in slush by the roadside on Nadikeri turn near Gonikoppal blocking traffic for over two hours. Bhagamandala villagers are commuting via boat after flooded roads.