BIDAR, 27 Sept 

In parts of Kalyana Karnataka, especially Kalaburagi and Raichur districts, incessant downpour on Friday and Saturday has thrown life completely out of gear. 

The Kagina, Bhima, Bennethora, and Mullamari rivers have crossed danger levels, submerging several villages and cutting off road connectivity as bridges went underwater. 

The IMD issued an orange warning for several parts of the region, while schools in Kalaburagi closed on Saturday. The Meteorological Department reported that Kalaburagi district received over 250mm of rainfall in September, the highest in five decades.

KALABURAGI 

In Chittapur taluk in Kalaburagi district, the Kagina river submerged the Dandoti bridge completely. This has snapped the link between Chittapur and Kalgi taluks. Bus routes to Kalaburagi and Sedam towns have been diverted. Several bridges near Mudabool, Muttaga, Shankarwadi, and Gola have also gone underwater. Due to backwaters from the Nagavi stream and the Kagina river, Mudabool village has lost connectivity.

Water entered homes in the Kadaboor village in Chittapur taluk as the Bhima river overflowed into the village. Several houses were completely submerged, and villagers used fishing rafts to shift belongings to safer places. 

The rains in Chincholi taluk brought over 7,500 cusecs of inflow into the Chandrampalli reservoir, prompting authorities to open three gates. This submerged the Chandrampalli bridge. From Nagaral reservoir, 4,500 cusecs of water were released, flooding Tajlapur and Garampalli bridges. 

Houses in Chandapur, Garampalli, Anawar, and other villages have also been inundated.

RAICHUR 

Steady rainfall continued across Raichur district, with inflows rising in the Maski reservoir. As a precaution, four gates have been opened to release water into streams, raising flood fears. In Maski’s Basaveshwara Nagar and Valmiki Nagar, several low-lying houses and shops were flooded.

FLOOD THREATS 

Massive inflows from Maharashtra into the Bhima River have severely affected Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, and Yadgir districts. As a precaution, more than 1,500 people have been shifted to 36 relief camps. Thousands of hectares of crops — pigeon pea, cotton, sunflower, fruits, and vegetables — have been destroyed. 

From Maharashtra’s Ujani and Sina dams, 3.45 lakh cusecs of water were released, putting 94 villages at flood risk. Hunasagi and Gurumitkal taluks of Yadgir are among the worst affected. 

In Vijayapura, the Doni River overflowed, submerging the Talikote bridge, cutting road links between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The Yellamma temple in Mannur has been inundated. Farmers describe the situation as the worst crisis since 1972. Heavy rains have also been reported from Koppal, Dharwad, Chikkamagaluru, and Belagavi districts.