Eight houses have collapsed owing to unabated rain in Belgaum and adjoining areas in the past few days. Twelve bridges have been submerged and four barrages are overflowing in the district.
Reports received here said that the water-level in most of the rivers in the district, including the Krishna and its tributaries Ghataprabha and Malaprabha, is increasing steadily as their catchment areas are experiencing heavy rain.
Monsoon, which was weak two weeks ago, gained momentum in the past few days across the district, submerging farmland and low-lying areas. Yet, as against the normal rainfall of 205.9 mm for July, the district received only 169.5 mm. till Tuesday.
The highest rainfall of 537.4 mm (normal 781mm) was recorded on Tuesday in Khanapur taluk and the lowest of 42 mm (70 mm) in Athani. Belgaum recorded 323 mm (473 mm), Hukkeri 120.5 mm (165 mm), Bailhongal 91.3 mm (138 mm), Saundatti 105.5 mm (78 mm), Ramdurg 75.3 mm (68 mm), Gokak 88 mm (73 mm), Chikkodi 158.1 mm (135 mm), and Raibag 154.2 mm (78mm).
Official sources told The Hindu that the inflow into the Krishna from the Rajapur barrage on Karnataka- Maharashtra border was 1.25 lakh cusecs on Wednesday.
The inflow into the Hidkal dam across the Ghataprabha increased from 16,404 cusecs (as on Friday) to 28,194 cusecs (outflow 127 cusecs). The water-level increased from 2116.70 ft (as on Friday) to 2136 ft as against the maximum reservoir level of 2175 ft.
At Naviluteertha dam across the Malaprabha near Saundatti, the inflow was 11,613 cusecs (outflow 74 cusecs) on Wednesday. The water-level at the dam was 2056 ft, while the maximum level is 2079.50 ft. With the rain lashing the catchment areas of the Malaprabha in Khanapur, the inflow into the dam is expected to increase further.
Submerged
The old bridge in Khanapur town, Asoga bridge in Khanapur taluk, Sultanpur and Gotur bridges in Hukkeri taluk, besides Kallol-Yadur, Sadalga-Borgaon, Karadga-Bedkihal and Ankli-Savadatti bridges in Chikkodi taluk have been submerged. Bhoj-Kunnur, Sidnal-Akkol, Jatrat-Bhivashi and Mallikwad-Dattwad barrages in Chikkodi taluk are overflowing. People of these areas have been asked to use alternative routes.
Sources in the district administration said there was no need to panic as there are no floods. However, steps had been taken to provide relief in the event of floods.
