Eleven people killed in Karnataka as flood situation turns worse

The floods, which were so far restricted to North Karnataka, following heavy discharge from Reservoirs across Krishna and its tributaries in the neighbouring Maharashtra where catchment areas continued to receive heavy down pour.

However, due to torrential rains elsewhere in coastal and hilly districts coming under Western Ghats, the situation in more of these districts also turned worse.

Gokak town in Belagavi district has virtually turned into an island with flood water entering the town. Gokak Falls, which was considered as Niagara falls of North Karnataka is overflowing. People were not only stranded but were forced to spend sleepless nights in various districts and efforts are continuing to move them to rehabilitation centers. In Athani taluk more than 21 villages were marooned with flood water. In many villages the cows and buffalos have been tied to trees in open places and they were left to stand under rain lashing without fodder.

Even as entire North Karnataka, including Yadgir, Bagalkote, Belagavi, Raichur, Vijapura Districts are experiencing grave flood situation, in Kodagu the down pour under the influence of South West Monsoon is increasing and many places are undaunted. A bridge connecting Madikeri and Virajpet is overflowing and road connectivity between the two towns was cut off. Business establishments including Hotels, provision stores, vegetable market were totally marooned with rain water and people were forced to remain indoors.

In Charmadi Ghat section landslides were reported in four more places forcing the authorities to suspend movement of vehicle.

According to official sources there is possibility of increasing the release from Koyna reservoir in Maharashtra leading to flood situation becoming worse in North Karnataka region.

Schools and colleges were declared holiday till August 10 and payment of CET fees for admission into Engineering Courses have been extended following grave situation prevailing in North Karnataka region.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who held discussion with officials over the prevailing situation, has rushed to the most affected Belagavi District and he will be visiting other affected Districts also during his stay for three more days. He said Rs five lakh compensation will be paid to all those died due to natural calamity following floods.

The District authorities, in all the affected places, have warned people to move to safer places and not to venture into water and cross bridges and culverts overflowing.

Rescue teams of Army, NDRF, SDRF, Fire fighters and some of the NGOs are working round the clock and Gruel Centers and Cow shelters were opened in many affected places.

The gravity of floods in North Karnataka is such that the flood waters have entered Rehabilitation Centres at some places. Standing crops in hundreds of acres of land were washed out and the agriculture lands are filled with flood waters since last 15 days after heavy discharge of water into river Krishna which is continuously flowing above danger mark.

Already road and train connectivity to Goa and Mumbai from Belagavi has been cut off since last three days.

According to Weather office sources the gravity may increase as there will be heavy rainfall till August 10 in Maharashtra leading to heavy discharge into Krishna, Almati and Bhima rivers.

A Mysore report said Kabini river, a tributary of Cauvery, was in spate due to heavy rains in its catchment area coming under Wayanad district in neighbouring Kerala. Authorities today released 85,000 cusecs of water and warned villagers near the banks of the river to move to safer places.