Belagavi, 24 June

Due to heavy rains in southern Maharashtra, water levels rose in the Krishna Doodhaganga and Vedaganga rivers in Chikkodi sub division of Belagavi district. Following this, seven bridges that were opened for traffic on Sunday after a week of closure had to be closed again on Monday, officials said.

Additionally, schools up to 2^nd PUC, in Belagavi and Khanapur taluks were given a holiday on Wednesday, owing to the heavy rains.

Police have been deployed near the bridges for round-the-clock vigil and to prevent public and vehicular movement

Chikkodi Assistant Commissioner SS Sampagavi said river Krishna was getting more than the usual average of 80,000 cusecs water since last Friday. While it was 90,000 cusecs on Sunday, it rose to 1.2 lakh cusecs by Monday evening.

"Rivers Krishna, Doodhaganga and Vedaganga are in flood situation not because of the rains in its catchment areas, but due to inflow from Maharashtra," Sampagavi said.

Officials in the Belagavi district administration said it is prepared to face the possible floods and has alerted all departments concerned to be ready to handle any untoward situation. Food, health and medical departments have been put on high alert, they said.

Belagavi deputy commissioner Mohammed Roshan said sufficient amounts of supplies and enough members of medical staff have been kept ready. Schools, hostels and “samudhaya bhavans” have been identified to house the affected people in case of floods, he said, adding that boats are being arranged to shift people.