Chikkodi

In Hulagabala village, Athani taluk, over forty families in the Manga residential area are stranded due to rising water levels in the Krishna River. These families live in constant fear, struggling to access essentials and care for their livestock. The situation has prompted local protests against the authorities, who have delayed rehabilitating affected residents for years. Protesters, frustrated with the government’s inaction, have refused to leave their homes despite evacuation efforts, demanding immediate assistance.

Athani Tehsildar Vani U stated that efforts are being made to persuade the families to evacuate for their safety, with plans to relocate them by evening. District Collector Mohammad Roshan reported that the Krishna, Ghataprabha, and Malaprabha rivers are being closely monitored, with significant water inflows from the Belgaum district rivers into the Alamatti Reservoir. The district is preparing to release 2 lakh cusecs of water from Alamatti, which could affect nearby villages.

In a press conference, Roshan mentioned that officials from water resources and revenue departments are stationed at key points, including the Koyna reservoir and Jatrat Barrage, and are coordinating with Kolhapur officials. He noted that the Ghataprabha reservoir is currently collecting three TMC of water daily, with decisions about water release being made to manage the situation and prevent potential flooding in affected areas.