UNI

Bangalore, Aug 4: The flood situation in Northern Karnataka continued to be grim, with the waters of rivers Krishna and Bhima still flowing above the danger mark, destroying standing crops in over 71,000 hectares of land and rendering thousands of people homeless in Belgaum, Gulbarga and Bijapur districts.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy made an aerial survey of some of the affected areas as 159 villages in the three districts, besides Bagalkot and Raichur, were caught in the swirling waters of the two rivers, submerging 41 villages and affecting more than 3.64 lakh people. As many as 75 boats had been pressed into service to evacuate people from marooned villages, while authorities opened 47 relief camps to rehabilitate those affected.

According to official sources, one boy had lost his life at Surpura village in Gulbarga district.

Mr Kumaraswamy said Rs 13 crore had been released for relief works.

In Gulbarga district, the evacuation of affected people continued for the fourth day today. Road traffic between Gulbarga and Raichur, via Shahapur, was affected as flood waters were overflowing on a bridge near Huvinahadagali town. With heavy rains pounding the state, Maharashtra had released 1.75 lakh cusecs of water in Bhima, which had inundated large tracts of land along its banks.

In Alamatti in Bijapur, the inflow into Krishna river remained high at 2.83 lakh cusecs, while the outflow was 2.90 lakh cusecs.

The level in the reservoir stood at 517.54 m as against the full level of 519 m. At Narayanapur dam, downstream Alamatti, the inflow was 3.5 lakh cusecs and the same quantum of water was being let out.

The level of the dam stood at 490 m.

In Belgaum district, 21 villages were still cut off, 35 marooned and 11 partially affected in the worst-hit Chikkodi, Raibag and Athani taluks on the banks of river Krishna and Gokak taluk on the banks of river Ghathaprabha.

Heavy rains continued in most parts of Uttara Kannada and northern parts of Shimoga district. Heavy inflow continued into Kadra and Supa dams in Uttara Kannada and Linganamakki reservoir across river Sharavati in Shimoga. The world famous Jog Falls, downstream Linganamakki, had regained its splendour as heavy rains lashed its catchment areas of Kargal and Gerusoppa.