Madikeri :

Heavy rain lashed Madikeri town on Saturday evening bringing traffic to a screeching halt in many areas. On the Sri Omkareshwara temple road, several vehicles were submerged. Girish, from Mallikarjunanar, who was in a Maruti Omni with his wife and son were forced to get out of their vehicle and brave the rain when water entered their vehicle. “We had no choice but to get out, as water had entered the car. Even inside the car we were shivering with cold.” he said.

Earlier, the town experienced light showers. But later in the day it was bright and pleasant, until evening.

The Pushpagiri hilly belt in north Kodagu comprising Mutlu, Hammiyala and Kumbaragadige villages received more than 100 inches of rain during rain star Aridra this year. Today, the rain star Punarvasu starts

Aridra rain this year has broken all previous records in these villages. In the last 20 years, Aridra rain record had not crossed 70 inches in these villages. In 1993, it was 51 inches. The heaviest rainfall was recorded in 1994 at 70 inches in these villages between tail-end of June and July first week.

C N Somesh, parpathehegar, in Sri Omkareshara temple, who hails from Mutlu village said that this is the first time that the villages have received such rain.

The averge rainfall in Kodagu so for reached has been 50 inches, 50% more compared to last year’s figure of 25 inches. In Somwarpet taluk it was 39 inches this year while last year it was 19 inches.

Water level in Harangi reservoir has touched 2855.95 out of 2849 feet. The inflow is 11,497 cusec and the outflow is 11,600 cusec.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysore> Kodagu / TNN / July 07th, 2013