Puttur: Rivers Netravati and Kumaradhara form Holy Confluence, Traffic Disrupted Near Uppinangady

Pics: Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jul 18: People from around the taluk started making a beeline for Uppinangady, known as Dakshina Kashi and Sangama Kshetra, after rivers Netravati and Kumaradhara embraced each other and formed the holy confluence there at around 1 pm on Saturday July 18.

At the time of reporting, the level of water had reached 26.8 metres. It may be recalled, that the phenomenon of the holy confluence had been witnessed last year too. This incident is treated by the people as an auspicious happening.

On the occasion, customary 'Bagina' was offered to the rivers and 'Ganga Puje' was performed by the priests of Sahasralingeshwara temple.

Lord Sahasralingeshwar temple located at the confluence site has been turned into a virtual island, with water all around it. Because of the increasing level of river water, schools and colleges in the region have declared holiday for today. The administration has been making announcement in the low-lying areas, asking people to shift to higher altitudes in view of the dangers envisaged due to the flood situation.

The national highway 48 between Mangalore and Bangalore was blocked today morning for over two hours, after the highway was inundated at Udane, a little away from here. The buses travelling to and from Bangalore were stranded as a result. The vehicles usually take an alternative route via Ichalampady whenever the traffic on the highway gets affected, but they could not do that today, as the road at Ichalampady caved in, making it impossible for the vehicles to take a detour.

Hosmutt Bridge remains under water, people bound for Kadaba and Subrahmanya have not been able to reach there.