With the southwest monsoon intensifying, several parts of Kodagu received moderate to heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, prompting the district administration to declare a holiday for anganwadi centres, schools and colleges on Wednesday July 8 as a precautionary measure.

The order was issued by the Deputy Commissioner Somashekar, taking into account the safety of students in view of the widespread rainfall and the possibility of rain-related incidents.

Overnight rain also caused damage to infrastructure and property in parts of the district. A road caved in at Kolthodu Baigodu village in Hattur Gram Panchayat following incessant rainfall.

In another incident, the house of Daasi, a resident of Bommadu village in Srimangala hobli, was partially damaged after a tree uprooted by gusty winds crashed onto it. Revenue department officials visited the spot and inspected the damage.

Kodagu recorded an average rainfall of 57.20 mm during the last 24 hours.

Bhagamandala received the highest rainfall in the district with 165 mm, said to be one of the highest single-day spells recorded in recent days with the onset of the monsoon. Ponnampet recorded 125 mm, followed by Hudikeri (89 mm), Shanthalli (83 mm), Srimangala (82 mm), Virajpet (64 mm), Madikeri (60 mm), Kodlipet (55 mm), Somwarpet (54 mm), Sampaje (49.50 mm), Ammathi (39 mm), Balele (36 mm), Napoklu (32 mm), Shanivarasanthe (29 mm), Suntikoppa (29 mm) and Kushalnagar (10.20 mm).

A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been stationed in Kodagu since the onset of the monsoon to undertake rescue and relief operations in the event of rain-related emergencies.

With monsoon activity intensifying over the past few days, officials are on alert and closely monitoring the situation.

They have appealed to the public to comply with safety advisories. As a precautionary measure, the administration has prohibited unauthorised entry into rivers, streams, waterfalls, reservoirs, backwaters and other vulnerable locations across the district. The restrictions ban bathing, swimming and adventure activities in water bodies to prevent drowning and other accidents during the monsoon.

The administration has warned that violators will face action. On Monday, two engineering students from Andhra Pradesh, who were rescued after being stranded in the gushing waters of Mallalli Falls in Somwarpet taluk, were fined for violating the prohibitory order. The students were safely rescued by personnel of the Fire and Emergency Services Department.