MYSURU: Two-century-old Wellesley Bridge across the Cauvery near Sathyagala in Kollegal taluk was washed away on Monday by incessant rains in the river’s upstream and increase in discharge of water from Kabini and KRS reservoirs. This bridge is different from its namesake in Srirangapatna.
Built in 1799, the Colonel Arthur Wellesley Bridge near Sathyagala was a testimony to the engineering technology back then, but it had fallen to a dilapidated condition. Former minister H S Mahadeva Prasad, who started jalapathostava by illuminating Barachukki falls, wanted to restore the bridge and to educate people on the historical importance of the region. However, the project did not take off.
On Monday, the Irrigation Department released water at the rate of 1.20 lakh cusecs into the river from KRS ( 76,000 cusecs) and Kabini (40,000 cusecs) reservoirs. Water level is expected to increase owing to heavy downpour in Kodagu district and in Wayanad region of Kerala.Despite a ban on entry of visitors to Brindavan Gardens, thousands of people thronged the dam to have a glimpse of the gushing water from the crest gates.
The water discharge from the KRS is said to have been the highest in the past seven years as the inflow touched 51,679 cusecs on Monday and it is likely to increase if the outflow from Hemavathi and Harangi dams is raised. People have also been banned from the Sangam and Cauvery in Srirangapatna.