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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP stages walkout in Karnataka assembly over 'non-disbursal' of Gruha Lakshmi payout
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The opposition BJP on Wednesday staged a walkout from the Karnataka assembly protesting the alleged "non-disbursal" of two months' installments to 1.26 crore beneficiaries under a woman's assistance scheme of the state government.
The protest followed a heated debate in which the opposition accused the state government of providing "misleading" information regarding the payment status of the flagship Gruha Lakshmi scheme.
The saffron party members trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans, leading to the adjournment of the proceedings of the House for over an hour.
ALSO READ: 'Homebound' makes it to Oscar shortlist for best international feature
The Gruha Lakshmi guarantee scheme is one of the five pre-poll promises of the ruling Congress. It provides Rs 2,000 monthly to women heads of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
The BJP legislators accused Woman and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar of having "misled" the House by giving false information to BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai that all the instalments till August have been paid under the scheme.
The opposition charged that the installments for the months of February and March this year were not paid.
The BJP MLAs' grouse was that they had been demanding an explanation from the Minister for the past three days, but she never turned up to provide information.
As soon as the session started, the opposition members trooped into the well of the House demanding the Minister's presence, which led to the adjournment.
When the members assembled again, the Minister replied that this is a unique flagship programme of the Congress government, which is a model for all the states.
Hebbalkar said she always strived to ensure that this scheme is implemented religiously.
"However, when I checked, I noticed that two months' installments were not paid to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). If my reply has hurt anyone, then I express my regret," she said.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who came to the defence of Hebbalkar, said the BJP should apologise for the lie in the Union Budget.
"Despite the Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra Irrigation Project in the budget, the money was not given to Karnataka. You should question that as well," Shivakumar underlined.
ALSO READ: Actress Shilpa Shetty's restaurant booked for breaching operating hours
To this, Leader of Opposition in the assembly R Ashoka said the matter was raised because not only were the BJP members hurt but also the 1.26 crore beneficiaries who were eagerly waiting for the money.
Demanding that the lie be expunged from the House records, he insisted on a date for when the backlog will be paid to the beneficiaries.
The Minister said she was apologising for giving a wrong reply, but she was peeved at the way a woman was targeted in the House.
Objecting to this statement, BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar asked her to refrain from playing victim card and bring up the issue of gender, caste and religious discrimination as it was a matter related to 1.26 crore people.
Ashoka and the BJP MLAs then staged a walkout, saying the Minister's reply was not satisfactory.
