Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Aug 2: The water level in the Netravati river has swelled to a near-maximum capacity, marking the first significant rise in Bantwal this year. On Saturday night around 9 pm, the river's water level was recorded at 8.4 metres, just shy of the 8.5-metre danger mark.

At the Netravati river water level measurement centre in Kanchikarpete, the level stood at 5.6 metres on Saturday morning and rose to 7.5 metres by the evening. The river's flow has further intensified due to the release of water from the AMR and Neerakatte dams.

With the river swelling, water has started flowing backwards into connecting streams. Inundation was observed in streams around Baddakatte, the Aladka area in Panemangalore, and parts of the Panemangalore school playground. Water overflowed onto the road in the Kotekani area on the highway connecting Jakribettu through Bantwal town towards Beltangady, bringing traffic to a standstill. Consequently, the road connectivity between Bantwal and Beltangady was temporarily cut off. The taluk administration has appealed to residents in riverbank and low-lying areas to remain highly vigilant. Officials confirmed that preparations are in place to relocate residents to safer locations if necessary.

Incessant heavy rains throughout the taluk on Saturday caused damages to houses and disrupted road networks due to fallen trees. The rising water level of the Netravati has inundated Aladka town, the Ajilamogaru mosque premises, and the low-lying areas of Bantwal's Kotekani.

Observing the significant rise in the water level, MLA Rajesh Naik instructed tahsildar Manjunath to take immediate precautionary measures. The MLA strictly directed that all taluk-level officials must remain at the taluk headquarters and not leave their stations.

In the Panemangalore-Aladka area, floodwaters have already reached the steps of six houses, prompting authorities to instruct members of 15 households to move to safer locations. Residents of other vulnerable low-lying areas such as Kanchikarpete, Bastipadpu, Jakribettu, SVS School ground, Navoor, and Nandavara have also been warned to stay alert as these areas are prone to flooding.

To tackle any potential flood situation, necessary arrangements have been made to open relief centres (ganji kendras) at the SVS school and Panemangalore Sharada high school. Municipal chief officer Theerthaprasad has been appointed as the nodal officer to oversee the relief operations.