Udupi: Forest Debris at Nilavar Vented Dam Creates Floods
By Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)
Udupi, Jul 23: Farmers residing in the neighbourhood of Nilavar vented dam, near here, are apprehensive at the many truckloads of bamboo waste, trees, and coconut husk that were washed away due to recent floods caused by incessant rains and have got stuck at the dam.
In the past, the floods would recede once there was a lull in monsoon rains. However, this monsoon, despite rains being sparse for a few days, there has been no decline in floodwater on the islands of Nilavar, Bavalikudru, Bandimata, and Koorady. The floodwaters have turned stagnant due to mounds of bamboo waste, palms, and logs that were washed away by the rivulets into Sitanadi and got stuck at the dam that was built a decade ago.
Hundreds of acres of paddy fields that were planted with saplings in this monsoon season are submerged in flood waters. The crest gates of the vented dam were released this year as it’s done every year. However, the heap of washed debris from the forest and farmlands hindered the flow of flood waters that had inundated the farmlands.
Sitanadi that brings a heap of large trees and forest waste from Western Ghats has shown its fury in this monsoon. The heap of waste that has accumulated on one end of the vented dam is likely to cause damage to its foundation.
The island dwellers in Bavalikudru, Nandanakudru, Babbukudru, and Saibanakudru near Nilavar are going through horrific experiences especially during the monsoon. The power supply in Bavalikudru failed a few days ago. The electric poles have collapsed and are lying in floods posing a danger to passersby.
The linking bridge that is under construction in Bavalikudru is likely to be submerged since it is located on a low-lying area. “The public works department has to take note of this situation in order to take early action,” says local resident Vishal Nilavar.
The minor irrigation department officers arrived at the location on the instructions of MLA K Raghupati Bhat. The department official’s assistant executive engineer H Jagdish and assistant engineer Palanna saw the gravity of situation on Thursday July 21 and said that clearing of the mound of wild vegetation and plantation waste will be done by hiring local skilled labourers shortly. They also surveyed the farmlands affected by floods caused by heaps of waste and assured to solve the issue at the earliest.
Brahmavar BJP Shakti Centre president Ravi Shetty Kumragodu, Udupi rural BJP youth Morcha president Mohan Shetty, contractor Jeevan Shetty Baikady, Kunjalu gram panchayat vice-president Raju Kulal, panchayat member Mahendra Kumar, and local residents were present on the occasion.