Kalaburagi/Bidar/Raichur/Yadgir, 28 Sept

Devastating floods triggered by relentless rainfall and massive inflows from Maharashtra’s reservoirs have brought life to a standstill across several districts of Kalyana Karnataka.

Riverbanks along the Bhima and Krishna rivers are overflowing, submerging highways, villages, and cutting off crucial transport routes. The region is witnessing one of its worst flood disasters in four decades.

In Kalaburagi, the overflowing Bhima River disrupted vehicular traffic on NH-50 near Kattisangavi (Jewargi taluk). Initially closed to heavy vehicles, the bridge was later completely submerged, halting all traffic — including ambulances and newspaper delivery.

Passengers from Bengaluru, Hubballi, Belagavi, and Vijayapura were stranded and forced to cross the flooded bridge on foot, as no alternative transport was arranged. Long queues of trucks stretched for kilometres.

Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fawzia Tarannum told Salar News that floodwaters from Kagina river and Nagavi stream had isolated Mudabul village from Chittapur taluk HQ, and that the Dandoti bridge was underwater.

In Chincholi taluk, floodwaters entered over 90 homes in Jattur village, and 200 people were rescued. The Kagina bridge in Satapatanalli (Sedam taluk) was also submerged, cutting off links between Sedam–Chincholi and Chittapur–Kalgi.

The Bhima River received a massive inflow of 3.5 lakh cusecs, forcing the opening of all gates at Sonna Bhima barrage in Afzalpur taluk. Officials warned of a flood threat to 85 villages. As of Sunday evening, 6,664 people had been shifted to safer areas, and 41 relief centres were operational in Kalaburagi.

Bidar drowns

Bidar district was isolated after key bridges collapsed and roads sank following heavy rains and increased water release from Maharashtra’s Dhanegaon reservoir. Critical routes in Kamalnagar, Aurad, Bhalki, Hulsur, and Basavakalyan remain submerged, cutting off links with neighbouring Maharashtra. The Inchur bridge in Bhalki taluk is underwater, blocking vital connections.

In Basavakalyan, water from the Tripurant Lake was diverted through the sluice, flooding agricultural fields and parts of the town.

"Our staff are stationed near the sluice point, and surveillance is ongoing at vulnerable locations," said Jagannath Reddy, Commissioner of the Basavakalyan Development Authority.

The flooding submerged bridges on roads leading to Pratappur, Khanapur, Gaur, Janapur, and Betabalkunda, disrupting vehicular movement. A cooking gas transport vehicle was stranded between Chimkod and Chillargi.

BJP MLA Sharanu Salagar, waist-deep in floodwaters, released a video urging the state government to survey the damage and provide compensation to affected farmers.

The Yadgir Deputy Commissioner’s Office reported that between 22-28 Sept, the district received 93 mm of rainfall, 122 per cent above normal.

 1,160 people were evacuated,

·        5 relief centres set up,

·        104 homes damaged,

·        22 livestock killed due to collapsed walls.

Shahapur taluk witnessed major power outages and a lack of drinking water. Over 150 houses were impacted. In Hurasagundgi, 50 homes were flooded; in Naykal village, backwaters surrounded 8 houses. In Wadagera taluk, submersion of the Bridge-cum-Barrage near Gudur disrupted access to Bendebembli, Joladadagi, and Bilhara.

 In Hunasagi taluk, 22 cattle perished, while in Raichur’s Maski, 15 houses collapsed. With the Bhima river joining the Krishna, the Jurala reservoir in Andhra Pradesh was opened as a precaution.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held an emergency review on Sunday, ordering Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat CEOs to visit affected areas and begin immediate relief efforts. He instructed Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to supervise relief work on the ground.

 Senior officials from the Rural Development Department and Water Resources Department were directed to assess the damage and ensure prompt support.

"Precautionary measures must be taken to prevent loss of life and livestock. Relief centres must be fully equipped," Siddaramaiah said.

Meanwhile, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy called for uninterrupted relief operations across flood-hit districts. In a post on X, he urged that relief centres be opened in every affected taluk with essential supplies like food, water, blankets, and medicines readily available.

He also demanded special care for children and the elderly, converting schools and hostels into temporary shelters. "Livestock are also suffering. Fodder and veterinary care must be delivered urgently," he said, assuring full support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.