TTW
TTW

Tourists rescued from flood-hit Hampi in Karnataka

Friday, August 16, 2019

Favorite

Around 365 tourists, including 100 from overseas, were rescued from the world-famous Hampi heritage site in Karnataka, with heavy rains and flash floods keeping them confined over the last 2-3 days.

 

An official said, “The Indian Air Force (IAF) crew airlifted the marooned tourists in MI-17 helicopter and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, in batches from a guest house near the Virupapura gadde (island) temple at the Hampi heritage site to the Vijayanagar airport between Hospet and Ballari towns in the state’s northwest region over the last two days.”

 

Located on the south bank of the Tunga-Bhadra joint rivers, the UNESCO recognized heritage site, popular for ruins and monuments from the 14th century Vijayanagara empire, including the 7th-century Virupaksha temple, was inundated after the authorities released excess water from the nearby dam. Hampi in the rich-mining district of Ballari is about 340 kms northwest of Bengaluru.

 

With the southwest monsoon in full swing since August 1, heavy rains in the catchment areas of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers in the state’s Malnad region filled the reservoir to the brim where the two rivers join near Hospet.

 

“As 2.5-lakh cusecs of water were released from the TB dam since Saturday, the ancient monuments, temple complexes and the market places (bazaars) were flooded when the overflowing water breached the banks and entered the ruins,” added the official.

 

The choppers were also used to airlift four National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to safety as they were trapped on the rocks that were submerged by the swirling waters.

 

Other historical places at Hampi, including Purndara mandapa (canopy) and Chola mantapa, were submerged while Kampli fort and Anjaneyaswamy temple were flooded due to the TB River overflowing.

 

Scores of tourists and pilgrims were also rescued by the state and national disaster response forces from flood-hit Pattadakal in the neighboring Bagalkot district.

 

Share On:

Subscribe to our Newsletters

« Back to Page

Related Posts

Select Your Language

PARTNERS

AHIF
IITM
at-TTW

Subscribe to our Newsletters

I want to receive travel news and trade event update from Travel And Tour World. I have read Travel And Tour World'sPrivacy Notice.

Mar 26
March 26 - March 28
Mar 27
March 27 - March 30
Mar 27
March 27 - March 30
Mar 29