Bhima River's Fury: Maharashtra Dam Unleashes Torrents, Isolating Kalaburagi Villages

A relentless surge of water has once again gripped Kalaburagi district in Karnataka, as the formidable Bhima river, swollen to a menacing breadth, has completely isolated numerous villages. This annual tragedy, a haunting reminder of the devastating 2020 floods, is largely attributed to the massive discharge from Maharashtra's Ujani dam, sending millions of cusecs cascading downstream.

Life in the low-lying areas of Afzalpur and Jevargi taluks has been thrown into disarray.

Communities such as Gorata (B) and Kadakol in Afzalpur taluk find themselves entirely cut off, marooned islands amidst a vast, churning expanse of water. Roads that once connected these villages now lie submerged, severing essential links and leaving residents dependent on external aid for survival.

The plight extends far beyond these two villages, encompassing Shahapur, Inchageri, Balabatti, Kesaragao, Mallabad, Arjungi, and Dhuttaragaon – all bearing the brunt of the Bhima's unchecked power.

The river, a lifeline for many, has transformed into a formidable adversary, flowing dangerously above the safety mark, threatening to engulf more land with each passing hour.

The catalyst for this unfolding crisis is the Ujani dam, situated in Maharashtra, which initially released a staggering 2 lakh cusecs of water.

However, with the incessant monsoon rains continuing to pound the upstream regions, the discharge rapidly escalated to an alarming 3 lakh cusecs. This monumental volume of water is relentlessly pouring into the Bhima river, exacerbating the flood situation and raising fears of even more widespread devastation.

Local authorities are scrambling to respond to the escalating emergency.

The district administration has swiftly moved to establish relief centers, providing a sanctuary for those displaced by the encroaching waters. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed, poised to undertake rescue operations and offer crucial assistance to affected populations.

Crucially, timely warnings have been issued to villagers in vulnerable areas, urging them to evacuate to safer grounds before the situation deteriorates further.

The agricultural heartland of Kalaburagi is suffering immense losses. Once-fertile fields, brimming with the promise of a bountiful harvest, now lie drowned under the murky floodwaters.

Crops like Bengal gram, green gram, black gram, onion, and paddy – the livelihoods of countless farmers – have been submerged, signaling a devastating economic blow to the region and adding another layer of despair to the already dire situation.