More than 40% of Gokak town in Belagavi district has been submerged due to the overflow from the Ghataprabha river. This followed the release of 1,64,000 cusecs of water from the Hidkal reservoir over the past two days, as reported by Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan on Sunday.
To manage the water levels in the Hidkal reservoir, 82,000 cusecs were released on both Saturday and Sunday, inundating several low-lying areas in Gokak. Consequently, over 550 people from 155 families were relocated to shelters in the government PU college and the APMC center.
The flooding affected approximately 200 houses in various areas, including the Old Cattle Market, Dor Oni, Dalimbri Toota, and others. Many residents from Chigadolli village have fled their homes as the floodwaters reached their village.
Connectivity to Gokak town has been lost due to the submersion of Lolasur and Chikkolli bridges under about five feet of water. Police are managing crowds flocking to these bridges, which have become makeshift tourist spots due to the overflow.
Basavaraj Koppad, a village leader from Chigadolli, expressed concern over the lack of official care centers, forcing displaced residents to take refuge in tractors and a petrol bunk. The APMC campus, where around 150 people are taking shelter, has raised safety concerns, despite the provision of food and amenities.
The district administration has reported that 41 bridges are overflowing and 232 villages are facing flood threats. Over 2,427 people from 792 families have been relocated to care centers, with another 1,006 moving to relatives’ homes.