River Bhima in spate; water level near danger mark

Gulbarga, Aug 1: Rivers Krishna and Bhima continued to be in spate, with the water levels nearing the danger mark following torrential rains in the catchment areas of Maharashtra and release of heavy water from the Ujjini and Veerbhatkal dams in that State.

Official sources said the flood situation in river Bhima was grim with 1.50 lakh cusecs flowing into it today and the water level touching 403.1 m.

The district administration had been put on high alert and all precautionary measures taken to evacuate people living in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, Agriculture and Marketing Minister Sharanabasappagowda Darshanapur, who visited the relief camps, told reporters that essential commodities, including rice, dal and kerosene, besides anti-snake venom were kept ready to face emergency situation.

Officials in Shahapur, Chitapur, Jewargi and Afzalpur were keeping the people informed about the flood situation.

The inflow into the Narayanpur dam was 2.30 lakh cusecs and an equal amount was being discharged. The water level in the dam stood at 490.4 ft.

A flood alert had been sounded yesterday to people living along the banks of river Bhima and the district administration had taken measures to evacuate people of over 43 villages in six taluks.

UNI