Madikeri: With heavy rain and gusty winds continuing to lash Kodagu district, the administration has declared a holiday for Anganwadis, primary and high schools, and pre-university colleges on June 26. The decision comes after a red alert was issued across the district by the India Meteorological Department, raising concerns among residents.

Strong winds and rainfall have been particularly severe in Madikeri and Virajpet taluks. In the last 24 hours, Shantalli in Somwarpet taluk recorded 7 inches of rainfall, Srimangala in South Kodagu received 6 inches, while Talacauvery and Bhagamandala in Madikeri taluk reported over 5 inches. The water level at the Triveni Sangama in Bhagamandala is steadily rising, prompting the release of an additional 5,000 cusecs of water from the Harangi reservoir.

Several trees and electricity poles have been uprooted in rural areas, leading to property damage and disruptions. People living in low-lying areas and riverbanks are on high alert, as the district and local administrations have begun implementing precautionary measures. In Madikeri, the chill accompanied by strong winds has severely affected daily life.

Meanwhile, the weather also disrupted a funeral in Balmuri village, situated on the banks of River Cauvery. A family faced difficulties while trying to cremate Kumar (42), who died of a heart attack. As they dug the burial pit, rainwater repeatedly filled it, forcing them to remove water manually using buckets. The family finally managed to perform the last rites, though not without difficulty. Villagers requested the Gram Panchayat to provide a shelter and road access to the cremation site to avoid similar troubles in the future.

Kodagu recorded an average rainfall of 60.92 mm in the last 24 hours, compared to 22.50 mm on the same day last year. From January until now, the district has received 1234.91 mm of rainfall, more than double the 582.32 mm recorded during the same period last year.

In Madikeri taluk, the average rainfall recorded today was 57.18 mm, compared to 22.95 mm last year, while Virajpet received 49.95 mm, Ponnampet 73.52 mm, Somwarpet 107.05 mm and Kushalnagar 16.90 mm. Since the beginning of the year, Madikeri has seen 1800.20 mm, Virajpet 1230.30 mm, Ponnampet 1171.28 mm, Somwarpet 1251.04 mm and Kushalnagar 721.74 mm.

Among the hoblis, rainfall recorded in mm included Madikeri Kasaba 22, Napoklu 71.60, Sampaje 47.50, Bhagamandala 87.60, Virajpet 56.40, Ammathi 43.50, Hudikeri 89, Srimangala 146, Ponnampet 40, Balele 19.08, Somwarpet 83.20, Shanivarasanthe 112, Shantalli 160, Kodlipet 73, Kushalnagar 8.80, and Suntikoppa 25.

At Harangi reservoir, the water level stood at 2851.34 feet, compared to 2829.63 feet on the same day last year. Rainfall recorded at the dam site today was 6.20 mm, up from 2.60 mm last year. The inflow today was 4561 cusecs, significantly higher than 514 cusecs last year, while the outflow was 5000 cusecs, up from 200 cusecs.