Heavy Rain Submerges Seven Bridges in Belagavi, Red Alert Shuts Schools in Five Uttara Kannada Taluks

Belagavi/Karwar: Monsoon rain continued to affect parts of Belagavi, prompting authorities to step up precautionary measures, even as the district administration said the overall situation remained under control.

In Belagavi district, Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan said several taluks had received 200 mm to 400 mm of rainfall over the past two days, leading to inundation of low-lying bridges and minor damage to houses and livestock.

"The situation is under control. Our disaster response system is in place and we are closely monitoring developments," Roshan told reporters.

According to the DC, seven bridges have gone under water, following which barricades have been erected and alternative routes arranged for commuters.

He added that State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were on standby, while National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams could be mobilised within six hours if the need arose.

Survey teams are assessing the damage to houses, crops and livestock so that compensation can be disbursed to affected families. So far, five houses have been damaged and one cattle has died, he added.

Roshan said the widespread rainfall however had also brought relief from the drinking water shortage that had affected several parts of the district in recent weeks.

As a precaution, the Forest Department has closed access to waterfalls and forest tourist destinations, particularly in view of the risk posed by swollen streams and slippery terrain.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Uttara Kannada district, the administration declared a holiday for anganwadis, primary and high schools in Sirsi, Siddapur, Yellapur, Joida and Dandeli taluks on Tuesday (July 7) after the India Meteorological Department forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds under a Red Alert for the next two days.

Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Kannada issued the order under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.