Flood in North K'taka: 44 Villages sumberged, over 7,000 displaced

Hubballi: Despite a decrease in rainfall in Karnataka, the Belagavi district has been severely affected by a massive influx of water from Maharashtra. The flooding of the Krishna, Ghataprabha, and other rivers has disrupted lives significantly. Forty-four villages are submerged, more than 7,000 people are displaced, and over 100 villages have lost connectivity.

The Krishna, Vedganga, Doodhganga, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Hiranyakeshi, and Markandeya rivers are all overflowing. The Krishna River alone is receiving an inflow of 2,77,703 cusecs, while the Ghataprabha River is seeing an inflow of 50,000 cusecs.

Three lakh cusecs of water are being released from the Alamatti Dam, causing alarm in the coastal areas.

Due to the release of 3.20 lakh cusecs of water from the Narayanpur Basavasagar Reservoir, four villages in Lingsugur taluk and 17 villages in Raichur taluk are facing severe flooding. Fifteen pregnant women have been evacuated from the affected areas.

Even though the intensity of the rains has reduced in the Malenadu region, the Tungabhadra River’s water level continues to rise. The release of 1.47 lakh cusecs from the TB Dam has led to the submersion of some historical monuments in Hampi. This spectacle has attracted a large number of tourists. However, the Kambli-Gangavati bridge is submerged, disrupting connectivity.

Impact Assessment by Region:

Belagavi District:

• 38 villages submerged
• 6,160 people relocated to 427 relief centers
• 2,015 people have taken shelter in relatives’ homes
• 454 houses have collapsed
• 41 bridges submerged
• More than 80 villages cut off
• 3,243 hectares of agricultural land damaged
• 1,529 hectares of horticulture crops damaged

Bagalkote District:

• 6 villages submerged
• 1,177 people relocated to relief centers
• 805 livestock rescued
• 44 houses collapsed
• 9 bridges submerged
• More than 20 villages cut off
• 5,701 hectares of crops damaged