SULLIA: While the focus of the government’s relief mechanism is on Jodupala and other surrounding areas of Kodagu district, villages near Subrahmanya in Dakshina Kannada have largely been ignored though nearly 200 families have been directly affected by the floods and landslides.While many houses in Kalmakaru, Yaladalu, Kajumadka, Padpu and Balekallu in Sullia taluk on the Kodagu–Dakshina Kannada border have been damaged, some have been vacated due to fear. Residents of Kalmakaru gram panchayat in Dakshina Kannada and Galibeedu village of Madikeri taluk are living in fear as a river tributary has been overflowing since August 16. Apart from houses, landslides have damaged roads too.Six bridges across the large stream at Kalmakaru, Yaladalu, Kajumadka, Padpu and Balekallu have been washed away after the August 16 downpour. The situation is no better in Shettikatte, where increase in water level has stranded 80 families.Mahesh KP, a social activist from Kalmakaru, told TOI that 14 families from Shettikatte have left their homes after the water level increased. “Nearly 80 families living on the other side of the stream are now left with no option to cross the river. A temporary hanging bridge has been constructed with bamboo and ropes. However, it is not safe to use the bridge for long. Most of the affected residents are Dalits. Among those who are stranded, seven families belong to the Malekudiya community. Crossing the stream is no mean feat, especially for those suffering from health conditions,” he said.Meanwhile, nearly 70 labourers’ families residing in an estate in Kedamakal, Galibeedu, have been cut off from Kalmakaru town, which houses school, health centre and grocery shops, after the only bridge collapsed. Samyan and Munni, a couple working in the estate as rubber tappers, said though two temporary bamboo bridges have been constructed, they are afraid of letting their kids use them. Rasitha, another rubber tapper, said, “We have no other option to reach the town and it’s scary to cross the stream via the hanging bridges.”Thirumaleshwara, a farmer from Koppadka, lost his house when a hillock came down sliding during midnight. “We lost our house and now we are struggling to repair it,” he lamented.Road to Kukke Temple closedThe Sullia–Subrahmanya Road has been closed due to landslide at Uppalike.The Uppinangady–Kadabaubrahmanya route also remains closed. Work on the road to Kukke Temple will start at Uppalike soon after the rain recedes, said deputy commissioner S Sasikanth Senthil.LOST LINK: Residents of Galibeedu village in Kodagu district use the makeshift bridge to cross a rivulet

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