Police guarding a submerged bridge on Ghataprabha river in Gokak taluka. Louis Rodrigues
Torrential rains have wreaked havoc in Belagavi and Kolhapur region. While all rivers in the region are in spate, about 34 bridges in Kolhapur district and 17 bridges in Belagavi district are submerged, cutting off connectivity to neighbouring towns.
Incessant rains have also resulted in loss to life and property. A woman from Saudatti taluk died after her house collapsed on Sunday. Another 35 houses have partially or fully collapsed in different parts of Belagavi district.
Krishna, Dudhganga, Vedganda, Panchganga, Bhogawati, Kasari, Hiranyakeshi, Ghataprabha, Markandeya and other rivers in western Maharashtra and Belagavi district have crossed the danger mark, leading to a huge inflow water into the dams.
In light if this, authorities to release the water resulting in a flood-like situation in Belagavi and Kolhapur districts.
Hidkal dam and Navilteerth dam on Ghataprabha and Malaprabha rivers in Belagavi district and Radhanagari dam on Bhogavati river in Kolhapur district have reported a large inflow of water.
Some villages in the downstream of these dams had to be evacuated due to rising water.
The water inflow was 23,056 cusecs into the Hidkal dam and 10,000 cusecs into Navilteerth dam.
The authorities are on the high alert and has asked people from the banks of these rivers to move to safer places. Rescue operations are in place in the flood prone area.
