Bantwal: After North Karnataka and the Malanad region, the Dakshina Kannada district is also seeing flooding in several parts. The Nethravathi river seems to be unforgiving, as it has engulfed the land in its surroundings, leaving the residents no other option but to run for their lives.
Horrific scenes were observed in Bantwal town, where the Nethravathi river has almost swallowed all the houses and tall trees.
The number of houses which were submerged in the floods were 54 yesterday, which today has risen to 200.
As a result of this the number of flood victims at Ganji Kendra have risen.
Due to massive floods, former union minister B Janardhan Poojary’s residence located at Bhandaribettu has also been affected. He along with his family have been shifted to Kudroli.
The Bantara Bhavan too has been flooded with its ground floor being completely engulfed with water.
Service road between Mangaluru-Bengaluru national highway have also been submerged, resulting in restriction of vehicular movements. Around 17 houses have been badly damaged.
The danger line of the river stands at 8.5 metres, however, the river has surpassed this mark and has reached almost 11.6 metres as of August 10, morning.
According to reports, the river was flowing at 11.7 metres yesterday night.
The siren, which blows every hour at the AMR dam, has sent shivers down the spines of the people living in its vicinity as 26 gates have been opened, releasing massive amounts of water. This has also created havoc at the Thumbe Dam with the water mark reaching around 8.5 metres, its average mark being 6 metres.
The Faringipete and BC Road areas are also seeing flooding and people are being evacuated to safer places.
(Pics received from residents and Deepak Salian)
