Incessant rainfall in Western Ghats triggers flood fears in Belagavi district
Belagavi: Continuous heavy rainfall in the Western Ghats and the catchment areas of major rivers has raised concerns over potential flooding in Belagavi district. The region has been receiving significant downpours for the past three days, leading to a sharp increase in water levels at the Naviluteertha and Hidkal reservoirs.
Belagavi city itself has been experiencing unrelenting rainfall over the past few days, resulting in a noticeable drop in temperatures and heightening concerns about an outbreak of waterborne diseases. The situation is further aggravated by heavy rainfall in the Koyna, Mahabaleshwar, Warana, and Kolhapur regions of neighboring Maharashtra, which has intensified fears of flooding in Belagavi district.
According to the Revenue Department, Kanakumbi in Khanapur taluk received 130 mm of rain in 24 hours, while other areas such as Asoga, Gunji, Londa, Nagargali, Jamboti, Khanapur, and Kakkeri reported rainfall between 55 mm and 95 mm. The Krishna River, one of the main rivers in the region, recorded a water flow of 65,000 cusecs near Kalloli in Chikkodi taluk on Monday. Other rivers, including the Malaprabha, Mahadayi, and Pandari, are also swollen, further exacerbating the situation.
The heavy rainfall has disrupted daily life in Belagavi district, with several bridges over the Vedaganga and Doodhganga rivers submerged once again. Many villagers are facing difficulties as both bridges and roads leading to their villages are flooded, bringing agricultural activities to a standstill.
The Naviluteertha reservoir, which has a capacity of 37.7 tmcft, currently holds 35.6 tmcft of water. On Monday, the reservoir recorded an inflow of 11,615 cusecs, prompting the release of 9,444 cusecs of water. Executive Engineer Vivek Mudigaudar has advised residents living near the river to remain vigilant as the outflow increases.
Meanwhile, the Hidkal reservoir, with a capacity of 51 tmcft, has reached 50.2 tmcft. The reservoir recorded an inflow of 14,588 cusecs on Monday, and the outflow was increased to 16,833 cusecs. This has led to flooding of bridges and barrages in Mudalagi taluk, disrupting traffic in more than 20 villages.
Revenue Department officials have assured that the flood situation has not yet reached a critical level. They remain in constant contact with relevant authorities to manage the situation and mitigate any potential risks.
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Delhi's air remains hazardous, SC raps officials for 'serious lapse' in ensuring GRAP-4 curbs
New Delhi, Nov 25: Delhi's air pollution levels remained alarming on Monday, with the capital's 24-hour average AQI reading soaring to 349 from 318 the previous day, even as the Supreme Court slammed the city government and police for a "serious lapse" in implementing GRAP curbs.
The apex court, however, asked the central pollution watchdog to consider restarting physical classes in the schools and colleges of Delhi-NCR, noting that students are being deprived of mid-day meals and lack the wherewithal to attend virtual classes.
According to the SAMEER app, which offers hourly updates on the National Air Quality Index, the AQI was recorded at 218 at 9 am, but it rose to 377 at 7 pm, thanks to a low wind speed.
Seven of the 38 air quality-monitoring stations in Delhi reported AQI levels in the "severe" category at 5:30 pm, with the number rising to 14 at 7 pm.
The latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said Delhi's 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm, stood at 349.
Bhavreen Kandhari, an environmentalist, said the AQI has risen due to a combination of stagnant winds that have a speed of less than 10 kilometres per hour and dropping temperatures that trap pollutants close to the ground.
The CPCB categorises the AQI as follows -- 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), 401-450 (severe) and above 450 (severe plus).
Last week, the city endured its highest recorded AQI for the season, reaching a hazardous 495, prompting the implementation of the Stage-4 restrictions under the Supreme Court-mandated Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution.
On Monday, the primary pollutant contributing to the deteriorating air quality was PM2.5, with levels recorded at 166.9 micrograms per cubic metre at 4 pm.
These fine particulate matters with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, pose severe health risks as these can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
The drop in the air quality follows a week of hazardous levels of pollution, with Delhi's AQI surpassing 450 for the first time this season last Sunday morning.
Although the air quality improved slightly on Thursday and Friday, it worsened again on Saturday, with the AQI returning to the "severe" category.
As evening descended on Monday, a thick layer of mist and smog covered the city, reducing visibility and exacerbating the air-quality crisis.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider restarting physical classes in schools and colleges in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas, noting that students are being deprived of mid-day meals and lack the wherewithal to attend virtual classes.
The restrictions on physical classes in schools and colleges were imposed recently due to severe air pollution.
The court censured the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and Delhi Police for a "serious lapse" on their part in strictly implementing the GRAP-4 measures, and directed the CAQM to take action against the erring officials.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said the authorities have made no efforts to implement the GRAP-4 measures.
"It is apparent that the authorities mentioned in GRAP-IV clauses 1, 2 and 3 have made no earnest efforts to implement action under clauses 1 to 3. Some police teams were deputed at a few entry points, that also without any specific instructions," it said.
The Centre's Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management estimated that vehicular emissions contributed 16.4 per cent to Delhi's pollution on Monday. Stubble burning, another major factor, accounted for 11 per cent of the capital's pollution on Sunday.
The DSS provides daily estimates for vehicular emissions, while the data on stubble burning is typically released the following day.
Meanwhile, the daytime temperature was recorded at 25.8 degrees Celsius, 0.9 notches below the seasonal average, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Humidity levels fluctuated between 85 per cent and 68 per cent during the day.
The IMD has forecast moderate fog for Tuesday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to hover around 26 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius respectively.
