Heavy monsoon showers continue to batter the Malnad region of Karnataka, and Chikkamagaluru district has been under heavy monsoon rainfall since the previous day. The continuous downpour has raised the water level in the Tunga River so dramatically that it is now flowing above the danger level in places of Sringeri taluk, causing concern for residents living along the banks.
An image of the rising river is the submergence of the old Kappe Shankaranarayana Temple, located next to the Tunga River in Sringeri. When floodwaters swept through the temple and entered the building, the devotees and the residents remained on the edge while the authorities monitored everything.
The Kerekatte area of Sringeri taluk has received particularly heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours. The persistent showers have made streams and rivulets swollen, and the water flows into the Tunga River. The river, already filled to overflowing with monsoon discharge, is now filling to the brim and at least one of its banks is under flood threat.
Residents of the riverbanks should be vigilant as the water level fluctuates. Many families have been following the river's flow closely, and people should not travel close to flooded areas and riverbanks, the local government said. Tourists and pilgrims at Sringeri should take very care in the wake of slippery roads and high water levels, it added.
The Malnad area, with its lush forests and beautiful landscapes, receives the highest rainfall in Karnataka during the southwest monsoon. Although rains are needed to replenish reservoirs, sustain agriculture and maintain ecological balance, large torrents, landslides and localized flooding occur when they are prolonged.
The rainfall continues, but local disaster management teams and revenue officials are on the watchlist as a result. Emergency response efforts are monitoring vulnerable areas like bridges, low-lying roads and residential areas close to the Tunga River. Public safety officials are also advising the public not to go through flooded water bodies or cross submerged roads because the current in the water can be so strong that people can get stuck in it.
The submergence of the Kappe Shankaranarayana Temple has become a symbol of the degree of monsoon activity in the area. While frequent flooding may not be a regular part of the monsoon season, the continuous rain since yesterday has made river levels rise and people’s minds race.
Farmers in the area are also closely monitoring weather conditions. While the abundant rainfall is great for paddy growth and other crops, too much rain can affect agricultural land, roads and transportation and affect farmers’ daily lives in rural areas.
Meteorological forecasts indicate that rainfall activity is expected to continue in parts of the Western Ghats and Malnad region over the coming days. Authorities have urged residents to stay updated with official weather advisories, avoid venturing near swollen rivers, and cooperate with emergency services if evacuation becomes necessary.
We are continuously monitoring public safety, assessing river levels, and minimizing the effect of flooding on local communities, as Chikkamagaluru’s situation is still very strong and the situation is being monitored; we may take more precautionary steps if the monsoon intensifies in the coming days.
