Belgaum: The flood situation in various parts of north Karnataka, especially Belgaum, Bijapur and Bagalkot is expected to worsen if there is no let-up in rain and flow of water continues from various reservoirs of Maharashtra into the states rivers over the next few days.
The outflow from six dams and reservoirs of Maharashtra including Koyna, has risen drastically, creating panic on the border. Sources in the water resources department say the outflow from these dams could even increase over the next few days due to the heavy downpour in Maharashtra.
Traffic to several parts of the neighbouring state from Karnataka has come to a grinding halt with the submersion of the long Kudchi bridge and officials of both states are in regular touch to keep tabs on the situation.
The overflowing Krishna river is seen as a threat to over 39 villages of Belgaum, where the incessant rain has already brought down 32 houses and submerged 13 bridges, hampering traffic badly in the district. Belgaum deputy commissioner, N. Jairam, said traffic was being diverted from all places where the bridges were submerged by the Krishna river.
All the crest gates of Almatti were thrown open on Thursday to avoid flooding of Muddebihal in Bijapur district and around 42,000 cusecs is being released regularly to its power units to make way for generation of about 270 megawatts of power.