Heavy downpours in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra have led to a sharp rise in river levels across the Chikkodi subdivision. The Vedganga, Dudhganga, and Krishna rivers are in spate, submerging eight bridges. Water has entered the Datta Mandir at Narasimhawadi, while the Hemavati reservoir is just 7.5 feet short of reaching full capacity.
Despite a decline in rainfall in the Chikkodi region, the rivers swelled significantly on Sunday due to persistent rains in the Western Ghats. The water levels of the Vedganga, Dudhganga, and Krishna rivers rose by nearly 5 feet, causing bridges that had reopened to become inundated once again. A discharge of 90,386 cusecs is flowing into the Krishna River from Maharashtra via the Rajapur barrage, further elevating river levels.
The submerged bridges include Jatrata-Bivasi and Sidnal-Akkola on the Vedganga, Barawada-Kunnur, Karadaga-Bhoja, Bhoja-Shivapurwadi, and Malikawada-Dattawada on the Dudhganga, and Yadoor-Kallola and Manjari-Bavanasaundatti on the Krishna. This has disrupted connectivity, forcing residents to take alternative routes between towns.
Water Enters Datta Mandir:
Floodwaters from the Panchganga River have entered the revered Narasimhawadi Datta Mandir, a significant pilgrimage site for devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra. Worshippers were seen offering prayers in about 2 feet of water, and priests went ahead with the palanquin festival amid the inundation.
Hemavati Reservoir Nears Full Capacity:
Thanks to consistent rainfall in Mudigere and Chikkamagaluru catchment areas of the Hemavati River in Hassan, the Hemavati reservoir is just 7.5 feet shy of its full level. With a total capacity of 2922 feet, the reservoir currently stands at 2914.57 feet. The current inflow is 8,079 cusecs, significantly higher than the 1,376 cusecs recorded on the same day last year. Typically filling by August during good monsoons, the reservoir is expected to be full by late June if current rainfall patterns persist. Officials are releasing 2,400 cusecs downstream and will adjust the outflow based on inflow trends.
