Karnataka Rains Ease Water Crisis, But Landslides and Train Disruptions Leave Three Dead

Relentless monsoon showers across Karnataka have brought much-needed relief from the state's looming water shortage, significantly improving storage levels in the Cauvery basin reservoirs. However, the heavy rainfall also left behind a trail of devastation, claiming three lives, disrupting railway services, and triggering fresh safety concerns in several districts.

A rain-triggered landslide in Shivamogga district killed three members of a family while they were asleep early Sunday. The victims, Mallikarjun (35), his wife Nagaveni (28), and their three-year-old son Santosh, were crushed after a hillock collapsed onto their temporary shed in Thirthahalli taluk. Rescue teams from the Fire and Emergency Services and the police recovered the bodies, while another resident sustained serious injuries and remains under treatment.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported extremely heavy rainfall across the Malnad and coastal regions, with Agumbe recording 197 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours. Several other districts, including Kodagu, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, and Uttara Kannada, also witnessed intense showers.

The heavy rain triggered another landslide near Sakleshpur in Hassan district, damaging railway tracks between Edakumari and Shribagilu stations. As a result, seven train services connecting Bengaluru with Mangaluru, Karwar, Kozhikode, Murudeshwar, and Vijayapura were suspended, forcing passengers to make alternate travel plans. The disruption also affected candidates travelling for the Civil Police Constable examination.

Despite the destruction, the rainfall has substantially improved Karnataka's water reserves. Strong inflows from Kerala and the Cauvery catchment pushed water levels in the Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoirs sharply higher, easing fears of water scarcity and providing a major boost amid the ongoing Cauvery water-sharing dispute.

Authorities increased water discharge from the Kabini reservoir, submerging a low-level bridge in Saragur taluk and prompting evacuation advisories for residents living along the river.

Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a fresh nowcast warning for Uttara Kannada and Udupi, forecasting more intense rainfall accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from water bodies, and remain alert for possible power outages, falling trees, and localized flooding.