Athani/Bidar, 21 Aug

Over 100 people from 40 families belonging to the Mang community remain stranded in floodwaters in Hulagabavi village, Athani taluk, refusing to evacuate unless the government offers a permanent resettlement plan.

The locality, submerged under two feet of water for the past week, houses a pregnant woman, a paralysed man, several ill individuals, women, children, and nearly 200 livestock. Despite worsening conditions, the families have rejected relocation to temporary shelters, citing years of unfulfilled government promises.

Heavy rainfall in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats has led to the release of water from the Koyna reservoir, swelling the Krishna River and flooding downstream settlements, including the Mang basti.

Tayavva Jeevappa Keranayak, one of the victims, told Salar News: “We’ve been trapped on a river islet. My paralysed husband and pregnant daughter are stranded. We’ve pleaded for a permanent solution for decades. The local MLA has ignored us, and during emergencies, we’re left to fend for ourselves. If complications arise with my daughter’s pregnancy, how can we reach a hospital through these waters?”

Community members say they are willing to move only if given permanent housing. “Every monsoon, officials shift us forcibly with lathis to temporary camps, promising land before the next flood. But once the water recedes, so do their promises,” Tayavva added.

Athani Tahsildar Siddaray Bhosegi confirmed visiting the area and urging residents to relocate. “They still have access through farmlands, though it’s a detour. I’ve directed Gram Panchayat officials to maintain close watch,” he said. Authorities are aware of the presence of vulnerable individuals among the stranded.

Meanwhile, around 500 people from flood-hit areas in Gokak, Kumbar Oni, Uppar Oni, Bojagar Galli, the old cattle market and mutton market, have been shifted to a municipal school. They too are demanding permanent housing solutions, tired of the annual cycle of displacement caused by flooding of the Ghataprabha River. 

7,775 hectares of crops destroyed in Bidar

Continuous rainfall over the past three days has triggered severe flooding in Bidar district, especially in Aurad and Kamalnagar taluks. According to district officials, 138 houses were damaged, and crops across 7,775 hectares, including paddy, green gram, and horticultural produce, were destroyed.

Aurad and Kamalnagar saw the highest impact, where 21 cattle perished. In Hulsur and Humnabad, 8 and 7 houses were damaged respectively. A total of 138 anganwadis were affected—38 each in Bidar and Bhalki, 26 in Aurad and Kamalnagar, 18 in Basavakalyan, and 13 in Humnabad and Chitguppta.

Infrastructure loss includes 67km of roads, over 19 bridges and barrages, 37 electricity transformers, and 151 electric poles. Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma estimated the total loss at ₹23 crore and confirmed that Rs 5,000 immediate relief has been sanctioned per family.

Joint Director of Agriculture Devika R. noted that Bidar recorded 177 mm of rain, well above the normal 126 mm. Crop damage surveys are ongoing.

District In-charge Minister Eshwar Khandre ordered urgent relief, healthcare monitoring, structural safety checks, and flood preparedness. He also urged proposals for permanent rehabilitation in flood-prone zones.