In Belagavi district, around 90 villages face recurrent flooding from the Krishna River, its tributaries, and the Ghataprabha and Malaprabha rivers. The persistent flooding affects areas in Chikkodi, Athani, Raibag, Kagwad, Gokak, and Khanapur taluks, with the Ghataprabha River flooding over 30 villages and the Malaprabha River impacting more than 15 villages in Ramdurg taluk.
Efforts to relocate these flood-prone villages have been hampered by land acquisition issues and the reluctance of villagers to move. Despite annual promises from ministers and officials to address the issue, no substantial progress has been made. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda recently stated that relocation efforts will be pursued but acknowledged the difficulty in securing land at market rates and the need for farmers to offer land voluntarily.
Prakash Patil of Kagwad taluk noted that while compensation for housing is promised, victims often lack safe locations to build new homes due to the scarcity of government land, which is further complicated by sand and stone mining activities.
Historically, efforts to relocate villages like Masuguppi have faltered due to villagers’ concerns about the impact on agricultural activities. Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi highlighted the need for consistent compensation and permanent relocation solutions, citing the lack of basic amenities in previously rehabilitated areas. Revenue department officials estimate that 800 to 1,000 acres of land are required for permanent settlement, but the high cost of land—over Rs 50 lakh per acre—makes this challenging.
