Kalburgi: Heavy rains in Kalagi taluk over the past three days have led to severe flooding, with three key bridges submerged and significant areas cut off from connectivity. The Heroor Buttertora reservoir has overflowed, resulting in widespread inundation of fields and residential areas.
The overflowing reservoir has caused severe disruptions, submerging bridges that connect Malaghana-Kalagi, Kalagurti-Donnoor, and Tengali-Tengali Cross roads. This has led to the complete severing of road access on routes including Malaghana, Kalagurti, and Chittapura, stranding motorists and cutting off essential transport links.
Villages along the stream, including Kanasura, Hebbala, Shellagi, and Herur, have been particularly affected. The excessive water has inundated fields, damaging crops such as Togari, Uddu, and Naam, and has led to flooding of houses in Hebbala, Kalagurthi, Tengali, and Rajapur. Notably, the Ambigar Choudaiya temple in Tengali has also been impacted by the floodwaters.
Tehsildar Ghamavati Rathoda has reported that at least six houses have been damaged due to the flooding. In response, efforts are underway to gradually release water from the reservoir to mitigate the risk of sudden overflow and further flooding. The administration is working to address the immediate needs of the affected residents and repair the damaged infrastructure.
The situation has drawn criticism from local leaders, including former Taluk Panchayat member Mallikarjuna Sivagola. Sivagola has questioned the lack of adequate precautionary measures by authorities and local representatives. He highlighted the recurring nature of such flooding events and called for more effective strategies to protect farmers’ crops and livestock, emphasizing the need for better planning and preventive measures.
The floods have caused significant hardship for the residents of Kalagi taluk, with extensive damage to both agricultural lands and residential properties. The community faces challenges in accessing essential services and repairing the damages inflicted by the floods. The ongoing efforts to manage the water levels and repair infrastructure are crucial to restoring normalcy in the affected areas.
Authorities and local leaders are urged to collaborate closely to address the immediate needs of the flood-affected populations and to develop long-term solutions to prevent future flooding incidents.