<p>Haveri: Water levels in the Varada and Tungabhadra rivers are steadily rising in Haveri district, leading to the submergence of several barrages built across the Varada River. As a result, people living in villages along the riverbanks are facing major transportation issues.</p><p>With the onset of the monsoon, the district received good rainfall. Initially, the Varada River had low water flow, but now, due to heavy rains in the Western Ghats region of Shivamogga and surrounding areas, a large volume of water is flowing into the river and passing through the district.</p><p>Barrages have been constructed across the Varada River at Kallasuru in Savanur taluk and near Koodala in Hanagal taluk. Due to the increasing water levels, both barrages have been submerged. These barrages previously enabled villagers to reach the district centre, Haveri, within minutes. Now, with the routes submerged, they are forced to take longer detours, causing inconvenience. Residents of these villages face similar transport challenges every monsoon season.</p><p><strong>Unscientific construction</strong></p><p>The Varada River lies between Kallasuru village and Devagiri. A barrage has been built across the river to facilitate connectivity and to store water. However, residents complain that the barrage was constructed at a very low elevation from bank to bank, leading to frequent submersion.</p><p>Between Kallasuru and Koluru, the Varada River separates farmlands owned by Kallasuru farmers, located near Koluru. During the monsoon, farmers are forced to travel 25 to 30 km to access their land. Many who sow seeds before the rains are abandoning agricultural activities once the barrage gets submerged. </p><p>Due to a lack of proper maintenance, crops are getting damaged, and farmers are facing losses.</p><p>“People from around 10 villages near Kallasuru used the barrage to reach Haveri quickly. Now, with the barrage submerged, we are forced to take 25 to 30 km detours, wasting time and money,” said Puttappa, a resident of Kallasuru.</p><p>“Most villagers here do not own land and travel to Haveri for daily wage jobs. Students and women working in the garment factory also use the barrage. Every monsoon, until the water level reduces, commuting becomes a nightmare. We have repeatedly appealed for either increasing the height of the barrage or constructing a bridge, but neither the MLA nor officials have responded,” locals complained.</p><p>Yallappa Hommaradi, another resident, said, “Due to the submergence of the barrage, people can not even reach Devagiri, which is just 3 km away. We are now forced to travel via Karjagi, Mellagatti, and Hurulikuppi to get to Haveri.”</p><p>“Farmers are unable to reach their fields across the Varada River. We have been demanding a permanent bridge for years. Even when our own Basavaraj Bommai was Chief Minister, the bridge was not built. Now he is an MP, and our current MLA, Rudrappa Lamani, is the Deputy Speaker. Both of them must take the initiative to build the bridge,” villagers urged.</p><p><strong>Incomplete bridge at Koodala</strong></p><p>The Varada River also flows between Naganur in Haveri taluk and Koodala in Hanagal taluk. A barrage has been built here too, which submerges during high water levels. To find a permanent solution, a bridge is being constructed, but it remains incomplete.</p><p>“Though the bridge work began years ago, there were objections over its length. Now, a longer bridge is being constructed as per public demand. We urge the authorities to complete the construction quickly to restore smooth transport,” said villagers.</p><p><strong>Inconvenience due to lack of bus services</strong></p><p>“On regular days, buses operate from the village to Haveri and Savanur via the Mellagatti–Thondur village route. However, many people usually travel to Haveri via the barrage. During the monsoon, when the barrage is closed due to flooding, people are forced to rely solely on buses. Therefore, there is a need to run extra buses during the monsoon to handle the rush. Yet, no additional bus services are being provided,” villagers complained.</p><p>“Only a limited number of buses run through the village as per schedule. At least during times when the barrage is submerged, additional buses should be arranged. Without this, we are forced to crowd into the few available buses,” they added.</p>
<p>Haveri: Water levels in the Varada and Tungabhadra rivers are steadily rising in Haveri district, leading to the submergence of several barrages built across the Varada River. As a result, people living in villages along the riverbanks are facing major transportation issues.</p><p>With the onset of the monsoon, the district received good rainfall. Initially, the Varada River had low water flow, but now, due to heavy rains in the Western Ghats region of Shivamogga and surrounding areas, a large volume of water is flowing into the river and passing through the district.</p><p>Barrages have been constructed across the Varada River at Kallasuru in Savanur taluk and near Koodala in Hanagal taluk. Due to the increasing water levels, both barrages have been submerged. These barrages previously enabled villagers to reach the district centre, Haveri, within minutes. Now, with the routes submerged, they are forced to take longer detours, causing inconvenience. Residents of these villages face similar transport challenges every monsoon season.</p><p><strong>Unscientific construction</strong></p><p>The Varada River lies between Kallasuru village and Devagiri. A barrage has been built across the river to facilitate connectivity and to store water. However, residents complain that the barrage was constructed at a very low elevation from bank to bank, leading to frequent submersion.</p><p>Between Kallasuru and Koluru, the Varada River separates farmlands owned by Kallasuru farmers, located near Koluru. During the monsoon, farmers are forced to travel 25 to 30 km to access their land. Many who sow seeds before the rains are abandoning agricultural activities once the barrage gets submerged. </p><p>Due to a lack of proper maintenance, crops are getting damaged, and farmers are facing losses.</p><p>“People from around 10 villages near Kallasuru used the barrage to reach Haveri quickly. Now, with the barrage submerged, we are forced to take 25 to 30 km detours, wasting time and money,” said Puttappa, a resident of Kallasuru.</p><p>“Most villagers here do not own land and travel to Haveri for daily wage jobs. Students and women working in the garment factory also use the barrage. Every monsoon, until the water level reduces, commuting becomes a nightmare. We have repeatedly appealed for either increasing the height of the barrage or constructing a bridge, but neither the MLA nor officials have responded,” locals complained.</p><p>Yallappa Hommaradi, another resident, said, “Due to the submergence of the barrage, people can not even reach Devagiri, which is just 3 km away. We are now forced to travel via Karjagi, Mellagatti, and Hurulikuppi to get to Haveri.”</p><p>“Farmers are unable to reach their fields across the Varada River. We have been demanding a permanent bridge for years. Even when our own Basavaraj Bommai was Chief Minister, the bridge was not built. Now he is an MP, and our current MLA, Rudrappa Lamani, is the Deputy Speaker. Both of them must take the initiative to build the bridge,” villagers urged.</p><p><strong>Incomplete bridge at Koodala</strong></p><p>The Varada River also flows between Naganur in Haveri taluk and Koodala in Hanagal taluk. A barrage has been built here too, which submerges during high water levels. To find a permanent solution, a bridge is being constructed, but it remains incomplete.</p><p>“Though the bridge work began years ago, there were objections over its length. Now, a longer bridge is being constructed as per public demand. We urge the authorities to complete the construction quickly to restore smooth transport,” said villagers.</p><p><strong>Inconvenience due to lack of bus services</strong></p><p>“On regular days, buses operate from the village to Haveri and Savanur via the Mellagatti–Thondur village route. However, many people usually travel to Haveri via the barrage. During the monsoon, when the barrage is closed due to flooding, people are forced to rely solely on buses. Therefore, there is a need to run extra buses during the monsoon to handle the rush. Yet, no additional bus services are being provided,” villagers complained.</p><p>“Only a limited number of buses run through the village as per schedule. At least during times when the barrage is submerged, additional buses should be arranged. Without this, we are forced to crowd into the few available buses,” they added.</p>
