Biggest flood in recent memory cuts off link beween Moodubelle and Padubelle

Report and Pictures by Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 30 July 2010: The largest flood in recent memory has practically cut off vehicular traffic between Moodubelle and Padubelle. According to those who live by the river side, this is the largest flood since around fifteen years. The incessant rains throught this week, especially on 29 July 2010 and the night following has led to the swelling of the river and flooding the paddy fields and other regions presenting a huge lake like scenario all around.

As it was raining heavily on  29 July, this reporter just ventured out to the lowlying area where the paddy fields were just getting filled with overflowing river water. The upper end of the paddy saplings could be seen as if just sprouting from the bed of water. It looked like a ‘small flood’. However, there was heavy rain throught the night of 29 and 30 July. When this reporter woke up in the morning and peeped through the windows he could see the blanket of water throughout the visitble patch of land.

After clicking few pictures around the neighbourhood, this reporter proceeded towards the bridge that connects Moodubelle and Padubelle. It was found that the first service of the Devi Prasad bus that leaves at 6.45 am via Padubelle, Kunjarugiri, Subhashnagar, Katapadi to Udupi had been cancelled due to inundation of the approach road towards the bridge with waist deep water. People travelling by cars or bikes had to beat a fast retreat. However, some cyclists could be seen pushing their vehicles as the flood waters would not cause damage to these cycles. One laddu and ‘holige’ supplier was seen carrying the box on his head and proceeding towards the bridge.

Many of the houses near the river were turned into islands as the residents  neither could come out nor go in the houses without wading through waist deep flood waters. Quite a number of children, youths, adults and even elderly persons could be seen enjoying the flood by wadding through the flowing water. It was a wonderful scene of the flowing of the swelling river from the bridge. Even Harish Shetty, member of the Belle Grama Panchayat from padubelle was present on the bridge to observe the flood. Even this reporter revived his childhood memories of the excitement of swimming, playing and wading through the flowing flood water. Few people were trying to salvage their coconuts from being washed out. Some of the parents had brought their children to show the floods who were quite excited at the sight of the extent of the floods.