Life in the riverside villages of Belagavi district has been severely disrupted by the overflowing rivers. The relentless downpours have led to flooding in the Krishna river basin, affecting numerous villages in the region, including Chikkodi, Nippani, Athani, Gokak and Kagwad.
The tranquility of these villages has been shattered as almost all roads leading from Belagavi to Gokak are now flooded, leaving only one route open for travel.
In Gokak, the situation is particularly chaotic, with the Lolasur Bridge and the falls on the Gokak-Konnur road experiencing the most uproar. The Markandey river bridge has also been submerged, resulting in traffic being blocked on both of these crucial routes.
As a result, the only viable route from Belagavi to Gokak now involves passing through Belagavi-Pashchapur-Shahbandar-Godachinamalki before finally reaching Gokak. The residents of these villages are facing significant challenges as they navigate through these difficult circumstances.
Meanwhile, in Gokak taluka of Belagavi district, over 300 houses and 150 shops have been engulfed by the rising waters of the Ghataprabha River. The inundation has left markets, shops, and roads submerged, plunging the area into disarray. As residents scramble to evacuate to higher ground, businesses are frantically relocating their inventory to prevent further damage.
In the village of Hunnaragi in Nippani taluk, residents and livestock are being relocated as the Vedaganga river breaches its banks and inundates homes. The heavy rains in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra have caused the Vedaganga river to swell, deviating from its usual course and resulting in a significant flood. Approximately 35 houses in Hunnaragi village have been submerged, prompting the evacuation of 135 individuals to a temporary shelter.
In Kagwad taluk, many villages are on high alert for potential flooding, prompting residents to abandon their homes for safer ground.