DC Pavan Kumar Malapati chaired a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority in Ballari on Thursday. The panel discussed the precautionary measures for the possible flood situation in the district as the catchment areas of Tunga and Bhadra are expected to receive a good amount of rainfall.
Keeping in mind a good monsoon forecast by the India Meteorological Department and possible flood situation along the banks of the Tungabhadra in his district, the meeting was held.
As per information provided by officials in the meeting, 32 villages, including 16 in Hoovina Hadagali taluk and 10 in Sirugupa taluk, will be affected if excess water is released from the Tungabhadra reservoir.
The Monsoon is already advancing and the possibility of facing a flood situation along the banks of the Tungabhadra cannot be ruled out, as is evident from last year. The catchment areas of the Tunga and the Bhadra in the Western Ghats are likely to receive good rainfall and the discharge of excess water from the Tunga and the Bhadra dams may result in heavy inflow at the Tungabhadra reservoir.
“The release of water from the Tungabhadra reservoir may flood the areas along the course of the river in the district. Officials in the district should start making preparations to handle any flood situation,” Mr Malapati said.
The DC also directed his subordinates to prepare a proper plan for shifting cattle and keeping them in a safe place.
“We may need to set up 32 relief centres in Ballari and Vijayanagar districts to shift people from areas that may be affected by floods. The administration should ensure that people likely to be affected by floods get proper food, accommodation and medication during their stay in these centres. There should be relief centres also for COVID-19 patients. The officers should depute nodal officers to each relief centre to manage them. We have reserved Rs. 10 lakh for each taluk for handling any flood situation. If required, an additional amount could be provided,” Mr Malapati said.
