Belagavi on alert as heavy rains raise flood fears along riverbanks
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan has directed district administration officials to prepare for potential flooding in Belagavi district, as water discharge from Maharashtra increases daily due to widespread rainfall over the past three days.
During a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority on Tuesday, Mr. Roshan stated that water levels in rivers are rising, posing a flood risk to villages along riverbanks. He emphasised the need for preparedness for any eventuality.
Officials have been instructed to open helpline centres at district and taluk levels. Movement of people and livestock on bridges that may be vulnerable to collapse should be restricted, and police officers are to coordinate with other departments to close all at-risk routes.
Boats have been arranged to evacuate people from riverbanks to safer locations if flooding occurs. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and firefighting teams are to remain on standby. Tahsildars must coordinate continuously with SDRF teams and provide immediate information when required.
Repair work on electricity poles, transformers, and wires in rural areas is to be carried out. Houses in dilapidated condition under rural and local bodies should be identified, and residents advised to move to safer places if rainfall intensifies. A survey of partial and complete house damage is to be conducted, and officials must ensure no shortage of fodder for cattle.
Mr. Roshan noted that 397 places have been identified as care centres across the district for evacuation. Officials are to inspect these centres and ensure all necessary facilities are available.
Awareness campaigns should be conducted to control infectious diseases that may spread due to rain. Stockpiles of required medicines should be prepared, and reports on dengue tests submitted to the Deputy Commissioner‘s office. All non-potable water sources should be closed.
A total of 41 boats—five from SDRF, nine from Fire and Emergency Services, and 27 from taluk administrations—will be available for evacuation. Officials reported that 397 relief centres and 129 cow camps have been identified in the district for potential flood victims.
Police Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulabarao, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, trainee IAS Officer Rohit Singh, and others attended the meeting.
