Belagavi Steps Up Flood Preparedness As Rivers Swell, Holiday Declared In 3 Taluks

The Krishna, Doodhganga, and Vedganga rivers were brimming with rainwater, with water levels in some places crossing danger levels. Water flowed over the Mallikawad-Dattawad bridge, cutting off road connectivity. In Chikkodi taluk, the Mansoor Ali Dargah was flooded after the Doodhganga river swelled sharply overnight.

Sources said about 10 low-level bridges were flooded and about 20 villages were affected. In Karadga village of Nippani taluk, overflowing Doodhganga and Vedganga rivers entered some of the nearby agricultural fields, causing concern among farmers. Similar was the case in Chikkodi Taluk where low-lying farmland was affected near the Krishna River. Floodwaters also surrounded the cremation ground near Karadaga.

As a precautionary measure, Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan declared a holiday on Wednesday for all anganwadi centres, schools, PU colleges and equivalent educational institutions in Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, including urban and rural areas, and across Nippani taluk.

Reviewing the situation at a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority, Roshan directed officials to remain on alert as heavy rain continued in the district and neighbouring Maharashtra.

He instructed officials to prohibit movement of people and livestock across submerged bridges, keep boats ready for evacuation in vulnerable villages and ensure SDRF and Fire and Emergency Services teams remained on standby. Tahsildars were asked to coordinate closely with rescue teams and report any emergency without delay.

The Deputy Commissioner also ordered the immediate establishment of district and taluk-level helpline centres, inspection of the 397 identified relief centres and 129 cattle camps, and repair of damaged electricity infrastructure.

Officials were told to identify unsafe houses, maintain adequate stocks of medicines in flood-prone areas and monitor drinking water sources to prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases.

With heavy rain continuing in Maharashtra's catchment areas and reservoirs releasing water, Roshan directed that a district-level officer remain in constant contact with authorities there to monitor reservoir releases.

Officials informed the meeting that 41 boats, including five from the SDRF, nine from the Fire and Emergency Services Department and 27 stationed across taluks, were available for rescue and evacuation.

With IMD declaring a red alert, Dakshina Kannada district administration has declared holiday for schools and PU Colleges on July 8.