Krishna river in rain-hit Karnataka flows near danger mark

Krishna river and its tributaries in Karnataka inched close to the danger mark due to heavy rains and discharge from neighbouring Maharashtra into the state's northern region, officials said on Saturday.

"Heavy and widespread rains in the state's northern region and discharge of water from dams in Maharashtra's Kolhapur and Sangli districts have led to Krishna river and its streams flow at danger mark at Almatti dam in Bagalkote district," an official of the state water resources department told IANS here.

With the southwest monsoon intensifying and advanced across the southern state, heavy rains in catchment areas increased inflows by 1,62,139 cusecs into reservoirs built across the Krishna river in north Karnataka.

Water from Rajapur barrage into Krishna increased by 1,28,875 cusecs and inflow from its tributary Doodhganga by 33,624 cusecs, leading to the river flow near the danger mark and posing threat to farmlands along the river basin.

"Low-lying bridges-cum-barrages in Raibag and Athani taluks in Belagavi district submerged in rain water," said the official.

With Markendaya river in spate due to heavy inflows, roads and bridges in the northern district also submerged, disrupting vehicular traffic and normal life.

Roads and bridges in the district's Chikkodi and Nippani have also been inundated with rain water overflowing the river's tributaries.

Inflow also increased into the Tungabhadra dam at Hosapete in Ballari district due to rains in the catchment areas of Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru.

People staying in low-laying areas near the dam have been alerted to shift in advance before the dam's gates are opened to release the excess water and lower its level below the danger mark.

Meanwhile, swollen rivers and flood-like situation threaten lives and property in rain-hit coastal, central and southern districts of the state.

"Heavy rains and gusty winds have caused landslides in the hilly areas of Chikkamagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Udupi districts, blocking vehicular traffic and movement of the people in Bantwala and Belthangady, even as the Netravathi river turned into spate due to heavy inflows from streams in the Western Ghats," said the official.

Water was released from dams across the river to prevent villages and towns from being inundated.

Though rains have subsided in Kodagu district, the Cauvery river and its tributaries continue to overflow, causing flash floods in Baghamandala and Talakaveri, which is the source of the river.