Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah orders relief operations as Krishna, Bhima rivers flood Kalaburagi region

Heavy rainfall in Kalaburagi, combined with the release of large volumes of water from Maharashtra’s Ujani and Neera reservoirs, has put several low-lying villages, including Bennethora, at risk of rising waters.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Credit: DH Photo

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday instructed Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and Kalaburagi DC Fauzia Tarannum to undertake necessary relief measures in the wake of a flood-like situation along the Krishna and Bhima rivers in north Karnataka.

Kalaburagi district has been receiving heavy rains and the situation was worsened by the excess water released from Ujani and Nira dams in Maharashtra.

Siddaramaiah directed the DC and the Zilla Panchayat CEO to visit flood-hit places and undertake relief works. He also asked the district in-charge secretary to visit the district immediately.

“The additional chief secretaries of the rural development and water resources departments should visit the area. Care should be taken while undertaking relief works to ensure that people and animals are not harmed,” the chief minister added.

The CM will travel to Kalaburagi on Tuesday.

Siddaramaiah has also asked the DCs and the CEOs of Vijayapura, Bidar and Yadgir districts to take necessary measures.