from special correspondents
in Bantwal, Beltangady and Puttur

Mangalore: Heavy rains have continued lashing the district, leaving many rivers, Netravati and Kumaradhara in particular, flowing in full spate. The level is rising to levels considered dangerous. Normal life and transportation has been affected in many parts of the district.

Subrahmanya and Hosmatha bridges have gone under water. Traffic between Subrahmanya and Kadaba has been affected.  Those coming from Kadaba to Subrahmanya have to take long and tiresome detours.

Kempuhole originating in Shiradi and joining Kumaradhara via Hosmatha is in full flow and added to the level of Kumaradhara.

The danger level of Netravati is 29 metres and the present level has reaced 26 to 27 metres. The level is slightly lower than it was in the morning on Tuesday, August 7. But since it has been raining heavily in the ghat areas, the level is likely to go still higher in the night.

The stream under the Kootelu bridge near Uppinangady is in full flow and since it joins Netravati, it may add further to the level. Water was flowing over national highway 75 in Udane and Gundya.

In Bantwal, houses in low-lying areas like Nandavar, Melkar, Aladka, Jakribettu, Goodinabali, Panemangalore and others have been inundated.  Many residents are said to have been advised to move from the places temporarily.

In Puttur taluk, landslide over the Hassan-Mangalore railway track at Yedakumeri has affected the train service, which is likely to be suspended for at least three days, said railway authorities.

However, since the landslide has occurred upward the Subrahmanya Road station at Nettana, the train service between Mangalore and Subrahmanya has not been affected. In Nettana, water got into many shops.

With the cancellation of trains to Bangalore, and also with landslide and tree-fall affecting Charmadi and Shiradi ghat roads, pressure will be on the Sampaje ghat road via Madikeri and Mysore.

Holiday has been declared to schools and colleges in rain-affected areas and the DDPI has been authorized to use his discretion to declare another day, depending on the merits of the case.