Heavy rains that lashed parts of Sakleshpur in Hassan district for the last one week have prompted many planters to dig out past rainfall records and compare it with the latest. Many say they have not seen such heavy incessant rainfall in their lifetime. The rainfall records maintained at a private estate near Sakleshpur over the past 152 years substantiate their claim.
As per the records, the highest rainfall of 33.96 inches (862.5 mm) in June was recorded in 1896. However, this year within the first 12 days of the month, the total rainfall received is around 18.19 inches (426 mm), more than half of what was recorded in entire June in 1896. In 2017, the total rainfall recorded was 51 inches (1,295 mm). More than one-third of the total rainfall reported last year was recorded within June 12 this year. Since January 1 this year, the total rainfall recorded is 32 inches (812 mm), which is more than half of the total rainfall recorded in 2017.
A rain gauge was set up at Ossoor Estate near Sakleshpur in 1866. Back then, the estate was owned by a British family. After Independence, the estate saw two or three owners. Now, the 800-acre estate is owned by India Builders Corporation. No matter who owned the property, the practice of maintaining rainfall recordings has not stopped. “Every day at 8 a.m., we record rainfall and note it in the book,” said M.C. Somanna, general manager of IBC Estates, pointing to a heavy old book, which carries the rainfall record of 152 years.
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Correspondent from Mysuru reports:
Rainfall in Kodagu continues to be heavy, with the district receiving 102.68 mm of it during the 24-hour period that ended at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday and throwing life out of gear.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, the body of a person who was feared dead on Tuesday, was retrieved on Wednesday. He was identified as Sharath, 24, from a village near Iritti in Kerala.
The district administration was working feverishly to clear the road blockade created by falling trees along the highway connecting Virajpet and Kannur. A senior official in the district administration said Bhagamandala and Talacauvery too received their share of heavy rains. There were more than 15 landslips on the road from Makutta to Virajpet bringing the traffic to a grinding halt since late Tuesday. Similarly, traffic movement between T. Shettigeri and Birunani was affected owing to heavy rains, which caused soil erosion and affected the roads.