Over 40% of Gokak town in Belgaum district is underwater following the overflow of Ghataprabha river, triggered by the release of 164,000 cusecs of water from the Hidkal reservoir over the past 48 hours, announced Belgaum Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan on Sunday.
To regulate the water levels in the Hidkal reservoir, 82,000 cusecs of water were discharged on Saturday and an equal amount on Sunday. This resulted in the flooding of numerous low-lying areas in Gokak. Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan stated that more than 40% of Gokak town is now underwater. He added that a total of 550 people from 155 families, whose homes were flooded, have been provided shelter at the government PU college and the APMC center.
The inundation has impacted approximately 200 residences in areas including the Old Cattle Market, Dor Oni, Dalimbri Toota, Mutton Market, Uppar Oni, Bojagar Oni, Kumbar Oni, Shindi Koot, and 15 industrial sheds in Gokak. Additionally, hundreds of residents from Chigadolli village in Gokak taluk have evacuated due to the flooding that has submerged their village.
Officials familiar with the situation report that Gokak town has lost connectivity as both the Lolasur and Chikkolli bridges, located on the town’s outskirts, are submerged under about five feet of water.
Police sub inspector Walikar, in charge of overseeing the bridges, mentioned that the overflowing bridges have attracted thousands of people, including tourists visiting Gokak Falls. “Both bridges have now become tourist attractions due to the flooding. Managing the crowd has become a challenging task for the department,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Basavaraj Koppad, a village leader from Chigadolli, raised concerns about the absence of care centers in their village. He noted that displaced residents are seeking shelter in tractor trollies and a petrol bunk near the village because official shelters are not available. “People are reluctant to move to safer places as they cannot leave their livestock without adequate food and water,” he explained.
At the APMC campus, where approximately 150 people have sought refuge, there are concerns about the safety of the building. A resident, preferring anonymity, commented, “While we are receiving well-prepared and delicious meals, hot water for bathing, and new mattresses and blankets, the structure we are housed in is not secure.” The education department is responsible for providing food to the displaced families.
Livestock belonging to these families has been relocated to the animal husbandry department. Mohan Kamat, deputy director of the animal husbandry department, mentioned that over 100 animals, including sheep, goats, and cattle, are now housed at the Gokak taluka hospital. “Veterinary inspectors are ensuring round-the-clock care for the animals. The cattle have been vaccinated against throat infections, which have been increasingly reported,” he added.
The Hidkal reservoir, located approximately 50 kilometers from Belgaum in Hukkeri taluk, recorded a water level of 2,148.800 feet at 7 am on Sunday, slightly below its full capacity of 2,170.167 feet. The reservoir received an inflow of 50,337 cusecs, and an equal amount was released into the Ghataprabha river.
According to reports from the district administration, 41 bridges are currently submerged, affecting 232 villages in both the Belgaum and Chikkodi divisions with the threat of floods. About 2,427 individuals from 792 families in 20 affected villages have been relocated to care centers, while another 1,006 people have sought shelter with relatives.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan of Belgaum highlighted that due to high water levels in the Krishna river, nearly 250,000 cusecs of water are flowing in. To manage water levels in the Alamatti reservoir in Bagalkot district, 312,583 cusecs of water were released into the Narayanpur reservoir in Yadagiri district by Sunday morning, which exceeded the inflow of 254,829 cusecs. Alamatti reservoir, the largest in the state with a capacity of 123.081 tmcft, is involved in these operations.
Continuous rainfall over the past 15 days has led to flooding in Belgaum and Khanapur taluks, impacting 13 other taluks as river water levels increase. As a consequence, educational institutions up to the II PUC level were closed last week due to the heavy downpours.
In response, the district administration has established multiple relief centers across Belgaum, providing essential services such as food, medical assistance, and temporary shelter to displaced families.
The state government has affirmed its commitment to addressing the crisis and supporting affected communities. An official from the Belgaum district administration emphasized ongoing coordination across various departments to ensure efficient relief operations, prioritizing the safety and well-being of residents.
