Water from Maharashtra brings floods to Karnataka

 

The parched citizens of North Karnataka are currently agitating for water from the Mahadayi River. In an ironic contrast, regions in Belagavi, Bagalakote and Vijayapur are now flooded, forcing a mass evacuation - courtesy of Maharashtra releasing excess water into the Krishna river

 

Maharashtra has been experiencing torrential downpours over the past two weeks. The rains have filled the state's reservoirs to the brim. To prevent any danger to its dams, Maharashtra is releasing water from its reservoirs into the Krishna river, which flows into Karnataka.

 

The Krishna River, already swollen by the rains, has begun to flood downstream in Karnataka.

 

The floods have inundated 30 villages, forcing the inhabitants to migrate with their livestock.

 

Adding to the woes of the people, other rivers - including the Vedaganga and Doodhganga, are also overflowing.

 

The affected areas in Chikkodi taluk are Kallola-Yadoora, Karadaga-Bhoja, Bhojavadi-Kunnoora, Sidnala-Akkola, Jatrata-Bheevashi, Malakavada-Dattavada and Yaksamba-Danawada.

 

The affected areas in Athani taluk are Ugara KH-Kudachi Road, BK Road, Shirahatti-Kokatanoor Road, Jhanjharawada-Ubachi Road, Kusanala-Ugara road and Ilangava-Theertha Road.

 

The affected villages of Raibag-Chinchali and Kudachi are cut off as the 14 bridges in these villages have been submerged by the floods.

 

As Karnataka's reservoirs also cannot hold all the water in the Krishna River currently, it too is releasing 2.08 cusecs of water from the Hipparagi reservoir downstream.

 

District administration has asked villagers in the region to evacuate to safer parts until the water subsides.

 

Even as the River Krishna plays havoc, water is being released from Maharashtra into the Bhima River as well.

 

This has flooded Tarapur, Tavarakheda and Kadani Madanalli villages of Vijayapur district.

 

Water was reported to have overflowed into hundreds of acres in the region.