Chikodi Division is grappling with severe flooding, with over 14 bridges and approximately 22 roads, including 10 major routes, submerged for more than two weeks. This extensive inundation has significantly disrupted local transportation and daily life. Chief Minister recently conducted an on-site inspection and gathered comprehensive reports from local officials to assess the situation.
The persistent flooding has been primarily attributed to the swollen Krishna River and its tributaries, Vedganga and Doodhganga. Despite a reduction in rainfall, the floodwaters have not receded as anticipated. Villagers along the riverbanks had hoped that the decrease in rainfall would lead to a quicker reduction in flood levels. However, their expectations have not been met, partly due to the controlled release of water from the Alamatti Dam. Currently, the dam is receiving over 3 lakh cusecs of water inflow from Belagavi district, yet only 2 lakh cusecs is being released. This discrepancy has hindered the rapid reduction of floodwaters. Previously, the authorities had been releasing the full volume of water received from Maharashtra to manage the flood situation more effectively.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the district administration has established 20 relief centres throughout Chikodi Division, where displaced residents have been sheltering for the past fortnight. These individuals are anxiously awaiting the receding of floodwaters to return to their homes. The flooding has not only submerged numerous houses but has also inundated thousands of hectares of crops. Although Vedganga and Doodhganga are smaller rivers, their floodwaters have caused extensive agricultural damage due to their wide spread. The inflow into the Krishna River has recently decreased to around 2 lakh cusecs, down from more than 3 lakh cusecs a week ago, following reduced rainfall in Maharashtra. The ongoing flood conditions in Chikodi Division highlight the urgent need for effective flood management strategies and improved infrastructure resilience to mitigate future risks.
