Belagavi, 29 July

Five more bridges in Belagavi were submerged after Maharashtra released more one lakh cusecs of water from the Koyna and Varana reservoirs into the Krishna river on Monday night. In total, nine bridges have been submerged – four on Monday – and five more in Chikkodi, Athani and Raibag taluks.

With the threat of flash floods looming, Belagavi authorities have warned residents to stay away from riverbanks, while police maintain round-the-clock watch at submerged bridges.

Kudachi, the tallest bridge in Belagavi district and a vital link to Maharashtra, was among those flooded.

Bridges at Yadur-Kallol, Bhavanasoudatti-Manjari, Malikwad-Dattawad, Karadaga-Boj, and Kudachi-Manjari are now impassable, cutting off access to nearly 25 locations, including vital routes to Miraj in Maharashtra. With Kudachi closed, commuters must now use longer routes via Manjari or Darur.

The 105 TMC Koyna reservoir neared full capacity due to relentless rainfall in its catchment area, prompting the Maharashtra irrigation department to release water after notifying State authorities. Maharashtra had been discharging an average of 30,000 cusecs until Sunday.

The Krishna river supports agriculture across Belagavi and Bagalkot districts, especially in drought-prone Raibag, Athani, and Chikkodi taluks.