Belagavi: Continuous heavy rainfall over the past two days has disrupted normal life across the Bailhongal taluk. Water has entered homes in low-lying areas, causing considerable distress to residents.

In Bailhongal town, localities such as Huded Bavi and Haralaya Colony have been affected by waterlogging.

The situation in rural areas is equally serious. Near Bailavada village, a swollen stream has caused the Nesargi–Bailhongal road to be blocked, bringing vehicular movement to a complete halt. Similarly, near Hosur, overflowing streams have obstructed the Bailhongal–Munavalli main road. Vehicles on both sides of the road are stranded, and travelers in buses and cars have had to take alternate routes to reach their destinations.

The heavy rainfall has also raised fears of severe damage to agricultural fields. Soybean and groundnut crops are particularly at risk of being submerged, leaving farmers anxious about potential losses.

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Hazaribag (PTI): Four Maoists, including one carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district on Friday, police officials said.

The encounter took place in the Khapia forest area within the Keredari police station limits, following a tip-off.

"Four Maoists were killed in a gunfight with joint forces in 'Operation KotiNeer'. The Maoists killed have been identified as regional committee member Sahdeo Maho, carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh, Ranjit Ganjhu, Zonal committee member, carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh," IG, CRPF, Saket Kumar Singh told mediapersons.

The remaining two are Area Commander Budhan Karmali, carrying a reward of Rs one lakh and sub-zonal committee member Natasha, a woman who hailed from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.

SDPO of Barkagaon, Pawan Kumar, said that no security personnel were injured in the operation.

The Maoists killed were wanted in about 80 cases.

With the encounter, only 57 Maoists are left in the state, the IG said.

A number of arms were also recovered during the operation including two AK 47 and one INSAS rifles.

The development comes close on the heels of a fierce exchange of fire between a Maoist squad headed by Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of Rs 1 crore, and police personnel on April 15 in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum. Four security personnel were injured in the encounter.

The Centre has already informed the state governments that there are no Naxal violence-affected districts in the country, more than five decades since Left Wing Extremism (LWE) originated in India.

The declaration followed a high-level security review held earlier this month by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the mandated 'National Policy and Action Plan to Address Left Wing Extremism' formulated in 2015.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament on March 30 that India was free from Maoists.