Attigundi, a village at the base of Mullayanagiri in Chikkamagaluru taluk, has been in darkness for the past 45 days due to relentless torrential rains. Located in one of Karnataka’s highest regions, the village is facing severe flooding and extensive damage from the persistent downpours.
The continuous rainfall over the last month and a half has uprooted numerous electric poles along the Attigundi route, resulting in a complete power outage. The damage to power lines and poles is so severe that repair efforts are currently unfeasible. The harsh weather conditions are further complicating the work of Mescom personnel, making it challenging to restore electricity.
The prolonged power outage has left villagers without a means to charge their mobile phones, forcing them to travel to the nearest city for recharging. However, many residents have abandoned their phones due to the inconvenience, further isolating them from the outside world.
Bus services to Attigundi and neighboring Dattapeeth have also been suspended for the past 45 days. Heavy rains have caused landslides and road collapses, disrupting both government and private bus routes and isolating Attigundi and over ten other villages in the Mullayanagiri foothills. The lack of electricity and public transportation has severely affected daily life, leaving residents struggling to stay connected and navigate the challenges posed by the constant rain and fog.