Rivers in spate keep people under fear in Kolhapur

Kolhapur, Aug 2 (UNI) People residing in villages on the banks of Krishna, Warna and Panchaganga rivers in Western Maharashtra continue to live under fear as the flood situation, particularly in Shirol tehsil, is grim with the rivers still in spate.

However, flood waters have receded slightly today due to less rains and even the discharge from dams has reduced, district collector office and irrigation department here said.

Of all the places in the district, Shirol is the worst affected with seven of the 11 most villages having been flooded and their communication and other links still being disrupted. Four villages were totally marooned and people from had to be rescued to safer places.

Sources said water level at the Rajaram weir near Kasaba-Bavada suburb on Panchanganga river was recorded at the height of 42.2 feet this morning, as against the warning mark of 39 feet yesterday, the water level stood was at 41.4 feet.

As per reports from Sangli district, the flood waters have started receding slowly, although many parts in the city continue to be inundated. A large number of villages have been severely affected in Walva, Miraj and Palus tehsils, according to Sangli district collector office.

Meanwhile, river Krishna near Airwin bridge was today flowing at 48.8 feet, slightly low against the yesterday's height of 50 feet, the sources said.

According to irrigation department, the water discharge by Koyna dam today was 61,000 cusecs, by Warna 13,658 cusecs, Radhanagri 4,600, Tulshi 507 and Kasari 1,265 cusecs, the sources added.

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