Shivamogga rains kill 65-year-old man and cause house collapse in New Mandli Extension

Heavy rains battered Shivamogga district on Tuesday, leaving one elderly man dead in Tirthahalli taluk and causing a house to collapse in the New Mandli Extension of Shivamogga city. The intense downpour also prompted the local education department to shut down schools and colleges in three taluks, while water levels in major reservoirs rose significantly.

The deceased was identified as 65-year-old Ramappa, a resident of Tirthahalli taluk. Ramappa had reportedly gone to his agricultural farm on Tuesday but did not return home. Local sources later found his slippers and clothes left on the bank of the Malati river, which flows adjacent to his agricultural land.

In the New Mandli Extension of Shivamogga city, the continuous rainfall resulted in the collapse of a residential house. Following the collapse, MLA Channabasappa visited the site to review the situation firsthand. The MLA listened to the grievances of the family affected by the collapse and instructed local officials to take immediate steps to disburse relief to the victims. He directed the officials to complete all legal procedures quickly to ensure the family receives the maximum relief package from the government.

Due to the severe weather conditions, the education department declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the Hosanagar, Sagar, and Tirthahalli taluks on Tuesday.

The persistent rain also caused swollen rivers to rapidly fill major reservoirs in the district. On Tuesday, the water level in the Tunga reservoir reached 588.25 metres, bringing it close to its maximum capacity.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Bhadra reservoir climbed to 140.6 feet, against its maximum capacity of 186 feet. Additionally, the water level in the Linganamakki reservoir rose to 1,754.40 feet, compared to its maximum capacity of 1,819 feet.