Usually, we hear of people being stranded by heavy rains and flooding. But residents of Karuru and Barangi hoblis in Sagar taluk of Karnataka are stranded because of the delay in onset of the southwest monsoon. They are dependent on ferries operated by the Department of Ports and Inland Water Transport to access places in the rest of Sagar taluk.
But, operating barges is getting difficult, as the water level in the Linganamakki reservoir, across the Sharavathi river, has been decreasing. The ferries that operate at Hasirumakki and Muppane have been stopped. And the one at Holebagilu, which helps people coming from Sagar reach Sigandur, is expected to be stopped soon.
