Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and the official in charge of Kalaburagi district, personally surveyed the flood-affected areas of Ganagapur and Sonna on Friday. His visit comes in the wake of significant water releases into the Bhima River from Maharashtra’s Veer, Ujani, and Seena reservoirs, alongside the Bori River, sparking serious concerns about widespread flooding.
In Deval Ganagapur, Minister Kharge meticulously inspected the Ganagapur-Itaga bridge, which currently lies entirely submerged under the swollen river. This yearly occurrence highlights a critical issue for local residents.
During his interaction with the villagers, they voiced their frustration over the bridge’s annual submergence, which isolates communities and disrupts daily life. They passionately appealed for a permanent solution by increasing the bridge’s height. Mr. Kharge assured them that he would revisit the site once floodwaters recede to conduct a thorough assessment and implement the necessary measures.
Deeply concerned about the potential for waterborne diseases, the Minister instructed the taluk panchayat executive officer to prioritize the immediate distribution of safe, purified drinking water to all affected villages.
Further extending his support, Mr. Kharge visited the temporary relief camp at Ganagapur Yatri Nivas. He spent time interacting with the displaced residents and directed officials to ensure a steady supply of cooked meals and all necessary amenities for those seeking shelter.
His tour also included an assessment of the Sangam area, where floodwaters have severed crucial access routes, leaving residents cut off.
A significant portion of his visit was dedicated to evaluating the extensive crop damage caused by the floods. In Chaudapur village, Minister Kharge observed firsthand the devastation to red gram fields belonging to Hema Ashok, Dhanashree Kishor, and Chandappa Gurappa Ambadi. Similar inspections in Mallabad revealed widespread destruction of tomato and cotton crops due to relentless heavy rains.
Accompanying the Minister were several key dignitaries and officials, including Member of Legislative Council Jayadev Guttedar, Kalaburagi Urban Development Authority Chairman Mazhar Alam Khan, Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Tarannum, Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Bhanwar Singh Meena, Assistant Commissioner Sahitya, Joint Director of Agriculture Samad Patel, and representatives from the Public Works and Revenue departments.