Three dead as Karnataka rain triggers landslide; rail services affected

Bengaluru: Heavy rainfall across Karnataka has boosted inflows into the Cauvery basin reservoirs, easing concerns over water scarcity. However, the relentless downpour also triggered a deadly landslide in Shivamogga district and disrupted train services in the Malnad region, authorities said on Sunday.

Family of three killed in Shivamogga landslide

Three members of a family, including a three-year-old child, were killed after a rain-triggered landslide buried their shed in Indiranagar, Thirthahalli taluk, at around 2.30 a.m. on Sunday.

The victims were identified as Mallikarjun (35), his wife Nagaveni (28), and their three-year-old son Santosh, residents of Kokkaregaru village in Koppal district. Police said the family was asleep when a nearby hillock collapsed onto their shed. A man staying in a neighbouring shed sustained serious injuries and was admitted to a private hospital.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel, along with the police, carried out rescue operations and recovered the bodies from the debris.

IMD reports heavy rain across Malnad region

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Agumbe in Shivamogga district recorded 197 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 5.30 a.m. on Sunday. Other areas that received heavy rainfall included Gonikoppal (66 mm) in Kodagu, Brahmavara (60 mm) in Udupi, Balehonnur (58 mm) in Chikkamagaluru and Sirsi (52.5 mm) in Uttara Kannada. The Mangaluru airport region recorded 37.8 mm of rainfall, while Bengaluru received only trace rainfall.

Landslide disrupts rail services

Heavy rain also triggered a landslide between Edakumari and Shribagilu railway stations in Hassan district's Sakleshpur taluk, damaging railway tracks and forcing the suspension of seven train services connecting Bengaluru with Mangaluru, Karwar, Kozhikode, Murudeshwar and Vijayapura.

Railway authorities advised passengers to make alternative travel arrangements after mud and boulders fell onto the tracks. The disruption also affected candidates travelling to appear for the Civil Police Constable examination.

Reservoir levels rise as inflows improve

Meanwhile, continuous rainfall in Karnataka and Kerala significantly increased inflows into the Cauvery basin reservoirs. Officials said the Kabini reservoir in Mysuru district received inflows of around 30,000 cusecs, while outflows were increased to nearly 25,000 cusecs as the reservoir level rose to 82 feet, close to its full reservoir level of 84 feet. The increased discharge submerged the low-level Bidarahalli bridge in Saragur taluk, prompting authorities to alert people living along the Kabini river to move to safer locations.

The Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir in Mandya district also witnessed a sharp rise in water storage, with the water level increasing from around 92 feet to 97 feet in two days. Officials said the improved inflows have eased concerns over water availability amid the ongoing Cauvery water-sharing dispute.