The situation along the banks of the Bhima River remains critical, especially in the Wadagera and Yadgir regions. While the relentless rains that battered the district for days have finally eased, the rising waters of the Bhima continue to pose a severe threat to local communities.
Key transportation routes have been severely impacted. The Sindgi-Kodangal State Highway was completely submerged by the Bhima’s backwaters, forcing its closure from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. Similarly, the crucial Gulbarga to Gooty State Highway, which traverses Yadgir, is impassable due to a bridge over the Dodda Halla being engulfed by floodwaters. Authorities have had to reroute all traffic, causing significant disruption.
The impact on human lives has been substantial, with over 1,360 villagers from riverine communities already evacuated to safer ground. Six dedicated rehabilitation centers have been established to provide shelter and support to those displaced by the floods.
The district administration has reissued urgent warnings, urging all residents living near the riverbanks to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions as water levels are still dangerously high.
Although the district experienced only minor, isolated showers in the 24-hour period ending Monday morning, the sheer volume of water in the Bhima is a result of heavy discharge from upstream. By late Monday afternoon, the KBJNL authorities released a staggering 4.80 lakh cusecs of water from the Gursunagi Bridge-cum-Barrage on Yadgir’s outskirts. Adding to this, the Basavasagar reservoir discharged 1.34 lakh cusecs into the Krishna River earlier in the day.
The floods have caused significant material damage, with 104 homes reported damaged and a tragic loss of 24 sheep and goats. Within Yadgir city itself, low-lying areas are grappling with inundation as the Dodda Halla has overflowed its banks.
In response to the escalating crisis, Lalita Anpur, Chairman of Yadgir CMC, personally visited the submerged areas and spearheaded efforts to relocate affected residents. Meanwhile, local MLA Sharanagouda Kandkur has formally appealed to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, requesting crucial compensation from the Central government to aid the recovery efforts.