As many as six low-lying barrage-cum-bridges across Krishna and Vedganga rivers in Chikkodi taluk of Belagavi district have submerged following copious inflows from the catchment areas in the upper riparian State of Maharashtra since Wednesday.
However, there were signs of water levels receding soon owing to decline in rainfalls in the catchment areas on Thursday. Also, the flood situation was fully under control due to effective coordination between the Chikkodi taluk administration and district administration and Irrigation Department officials in Sangli of Maharashtra, official source said and added that information related to rainfall and flood levels was being shared every two hours on a regular basis.
Sources told The Hindu that the barrages which have come under waters are Kallol-Yadur and Malikwad-Dattwad across Krishna river, which submerged last evening. Karadga-Bhoj across Dudhganga river and Bhojwadi-Konnur, Sidnal-Akkol and Jatrat-Bhivashi (all three) across Vedganga river submerged on Thursday morning.
The Shree Dattatreya Temple was partially submerged due to swelling of Krishna river water near Kallol-Yadur barrage on Thursday.
The communication between the villages on either side of these barrages had not been cut off but affected due to submergence. There were alternative roads open for communication, sources said. However, the pubic had been advised not to venture through these submerged barrages till the levels receded.
Sources said the barrages submerged due to copious inflow of water following heavy rainfalls in catchment areas of Krishna basin in Maharashtra during last few days. Krishna river entering Chikkodi taluk through Rajapur barrage was receiving a cumulative inflow of 1,00,775 cuces as on Thursday. All the 22 gates of Hippargi barrage in the downstream had been kept opened to avoid swelling of the river due to backwaters. Also, as much as 1.44 lakh cusecs of water was being released from the Almatti dam that had kept the flood levels in rivers under control.
Meanwhile the rainfall had declined in the catchment areas of Krishna river and its tributaries since yesterday. On Thursday, the rainfall recorded in Koyana was 74mm, Navaza - 95mm, Mahabaleshwar - 240mm, Varna - 96mm and Sangli - 3mm.
Official source at the Deputy Commissioner’s office said at least 2,736 houses and other buildings partially collapsed in the district and one house in Belagavi taluk fully collapsed due to rainfall and dampness from April to August 3.
