There is no respite for villagers affected due to closure of six barrage-cum-bridge/roads in Chikodi taluk — Kallol-Yadur and Malikwad-Dattwad across Krishna river, Karadga-Bhoj across Doodhganga river, and Bhojwadi-Konnur, Sidnal-Akkol and Jatrat-Bhivashi (all three) across Vedganga river — which remained submerged for the third day on Saturday, while the water level over the Kudachi bridge in Raibag taluk has gone up further due to incessant rainfalls in the catchment areas in Maharashtra.
The villagers had been advised not to venture through these submerged barrages and use alternate roads, which were open.
The temple of Shree Bangali Baba on the banks of Dudhganga river in Karadga, the presiding deity of the village in Chikodi taluk, has been partially affected due to increased water level in the river in the last 24 hours. A few farm houses have been partially affected and long stretches of agricultural fields on the banks on the Krishna and its tributary Dudhganga remained water-logged.
However, officials sources said there was no loss of life and the flood situation was under control due to effective coordination and sharing of information on water releases and rainfalls in catchment areas of Krishna river and its tributaries between the officials of water-resources and district/Chikodi taluk administrations of Belagavi and Sangli (Maharashtra), adding that huge quantity of water was being let out from Hippargi barrage and Almatti dam across Krishna river to ensure that the levels in the rivers remained below danger levels.
According to Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram, around 1,35,280 cusecs of water was flowing from Maharashtra into Krishna through the Rajapur barrage at the Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary. All the 22 gates of the Hippargi barrage remained opened and as much as 1.52 lakh cusecs of water was being released further.
The Almatti dam continued to receive copious inflow. Around 1,34,667 cusecs of water was flowing into the dam and 1,93,197 cusecs was being released.
He said the catchment areas of Krishna river in Maharashtra was receiving substantial incessant rainfall. During last 24 hours preceding Saturday morning, Koyana recieved 190 mm as against 121 mm yesterday, Navaza – 215 mm (150 mm), Mahabaleshwar – 195 mm (116 mm), Varna – 145 mm (75 mm), Sangli – 41 mm (27 mm) and Kolhapur – 74 mm (41 mm).
Rainfall in Belagavi district in August
Normal rainfall for August: 1237 mm
Rainfall received from August 1 to 6, till 8 a.m.: 777.7 mm.
The taluk-wise rainfall till 8 a.m. on Saturday with figures in bracket showing normal rainfall for August: Athani 32.6 mm (53 mm), Bailhongal 44.50 mm (83 mm), Belagavi 185.40 mm (273 mm), Chikkodi 74.7 mm (97 mm), Gokak 21.2 mm (52 mm), Hukkeri 43.4 mm (89 mm), Khanapur 284.9 mm (412 mm), Raibag 39.5 mm (54 mm), Ramdurg 25.5 mm (64 mm) and Saundatti 25.8 mm (60 mm).
Water levels in reservoirs in Belagavi district as on Friday morning.
Almatti dam levels at 8-21 a.m. on Saturday: Level – 518.420 M (Full Reservoir Level – 519.60 M), Gross Storage – 103.916 tmcft, Liver Storage – 86.296 tmcft, Inflow -1,34,667 cusecs, Outflow – 1,93,197 cusecs.
Navilteerth dam: Level 2052.80 ft (FRL 2,079.50 ft), Gross Storage 11.411 tmcft, Live Storage 8.026 tmcft, Inflow 8,217 cusecs, Outflow 116 cusecs.
Raja Lakhamagouda (Hidkal) dam: Level 2148.00 ft (FRL 2,175.00 ft), Gross Storage 31.68 tmcft, Live Storage 29.63 tmcft, Inflow 19,910 cusecs, Outflow 122 cusecs.
Dhupdal barrage: Level 2009.70 ft, Inflow 13,357 cusecs.
Rakaskopp dam: Level 2475.30 ft (FRL 2476.50 ft), Rainfall 58.10 mm. EOM.
