Udupi: Villagers from Sooladpu, Manoor, Kaikoor, Giliyar, Chitrapady, Karkada and Kavady villages in Brahmavar taluk have urged the State government to immediately take up desilting of a natural water stream, warning that the area could face flooding again during the next monsoon if the issue is ignored.
Raitha Dhwani Kota president Jayaram Shetty told reporters that the absence of regular desilting of natural streams and waterbodies has resulted in what he termed “artificial flooding” in these villages year after year. He said silt accumulation has severely reduced the carrying capacity of the stream, causing water to overflow into agricultural lands and residential areas even during moderate rainfall.
Threat of protest if action delayed
Shetty warned that villagers and farmers would stage a mass protest in front of the Brahmavar tahsildar’s office if no concrete action is taken within the next 15 days. “We have brought this issue to the notice of officials several times, but there has been no response. If this continues, we will be forced to intensify our protest,” he said.
According to him, hundreds of acres of agricultural land across the affected villages are suffering due to repeated inundation. Farmers cultivating paddy and other crops are facing losses every year as standing crops are damaged by floodwaters caused by clogged streams.
Rs 4.5 crore sought for desilting work
Shetty said the Karnataka Neeravari Nigama Limited (KNNL) has been requested to immediately release ₹4.5 crore for taking up the desilting work. He pointed out that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had approved a proposal submitted by Raitha Dhwani Kota in this regard last year.
“The Deputy Chief Minister had recommended that KNNL earmark ₹4.5 crore for desilting the stream after we apprised him of the situation. This gave hope to farmers and residents,” he said.
Resolutions passed by local bodies
The issue has also been formally taken up at the local governance level. Shetty said the matter was discussed in the general meetings of six gram panchayats, all of which supported the demand for immediate desilting. In addition, the Saligrama town panchayat has adopted a resolution urging the authorities to act without further delay.
Despite these resolutions and repeated representations, no tangible progress has been made, he alleged.
Flooding disrupts daily life and connectivity
Stating that residents in low-lying areas have faced severe hardship due to flooding in previous years, Shetty said waterlogging has affected houses, farmlands and public infrastructure. Several roads were also cut off during periods of heavy rain, disrupting daily life.
He pointed out that roads such as the one connecting Giliyar with Saibarkatte via Belur and Kota were rendered unusable due to flooding, affecting movement of people, schoolchildren and emergency services.
Tenders yet to be floated
Shetty said that after the Deputy Chief Minister’s recommendation, engineers prepared a detailed estimate and forwarded it to the Chief Engineer of KNNL, Upper Tunga Project Zone, Shivamogga. However, the process appears to have stalled thereafter.
“Neither has the work been taken up nor have tenders been floated so far. This inaction and negligence on the part of the authorities will only worsen the situation in the coming monsoon,” he said.
Conclusion
With the monsoon season approaching in the coming months, villagers and farmers fear a repeat of flooding unless desilting is carried out urgently. They have called upon the government and KNNL to act on the approved proposal and release the required funds without delay, warning that continued inaction could lead to large-scale protests and further agricultural losses.