Flood in Uttara Kannada: 4,000 people evacuated
Karwar, July 23, 2021: As many as 4,307 people have been shifted to safer places in Uttara Kannada district on Friday after 79 villages were hit by severe rain and flood.
Two people died and two are missing in the district.
While a woman who had been with her husband for fishing drowned and died at Honnavar, a person who tried to cross a stream drowned at Sirsi. Meanwhile, two who had been in a bot at Ankola are missing.
Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan told reporters on Friday afternoon that 79 villages have been affected and 62 relief camps open in the district. At 3.30 pm the number of evacuees was 4,307. This is likely to increase later in the day.
The DC said water flow in Kali and Gangavali rivers has increased drastically due to heavy rain in the last 24 hours.
“Kadra catchment area has received heavy rainfall since last night due to which the inflow to the dam has increased. Apart from the flow from upstream Kodasalli Dam, the Kadra dam has recorded an inflow of about 1.5 lakh cusecs,” he said.
The total inflow to Kadra is 2,12,947 at 3.30 pm. As the dam is full the officials are ensuring an equal amount of outflow.
“Revenue officials along with police, Nodal officers, Navy, Coast Guard are working round the clock. 20 member SDRF team and a team of NDRF have left Mangaluru and will reach Karwar shortly,” he said.
Instruction to the people:
The DC asked the people to cooperate with the administration in the evacuation process. He gave the example of a family which opposed evacuation at Mallapura today. However, the family was shifted later.
“If we ask people to move to a safer place, they should agree without any resistance. Cases will be booked against those who resist,” he said.
Connectivity hit:
Heavy rain has resulted in landslides and flooding on the road due to which connectivity has been affected.
The landslide on Anshi Ghat has disconnected the Karwar- Dandeli road. The landslide at Arbail Ghat has damaged the road damaged. Due to floods in the Gangavali River, vehicles are not allowed to move near Shiroor and also at Kumta-Sirsi road. The Siddapur Sirsi and Haliyal-Dandeli roads too have been affected.
Navy in Action:
Indian Naval Emergency Response Team (ERT) from Karwar Naval Base commenced rescue operations and successfully evacuated over 160 stranded people at Singudda and Bhaire villages whilst rescue efforts are being continued at Kaiga and Mallapur. The rescued people were shifted to safe locations in coordination with the district administration.
In an another swift Search and Rescue mission undertaken at Dongri (along Hubali – Karwar Highway) in Gangavalli river belt, eight personnel stranded in two hotels namely, Navami and Highland were aerial rescued by Naval Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), when local attempts for rescue were unsuccessful. The Naval ALH was launched from Goa and successfully completed rescue of the stranded people in over two hours. The rescued personnel were shifted to safe locations by the helicopter.
Heavy rains cause flood in Uttara Kannada
Filed at 11.45 am
Karwar, July 23, 2021: Heavy rain in Uttara Kannada district has flooded several places in Uttara Kannada district.
The areas above Ghat section has received heavy rain increasing the water level in all the rivers in Uttara Kannada. As the excess water is being let out from the dams, the low-lying areas situated downstream are flooded.
The severely hit were the Mallapur and Sunksal area near Kadra dam. The district administration is taking steps to shift about 200 people to safer places from the villages and islands nearby with the help of police, fire, Navy and Coast Guard.
Also read: Alert sounded for people living downstream of Kadra dam
The officials are also keeping a tab on the water outflow from the dams. If the amount of water outflow increases then there are possibilities of flood in other places.
The Indian Navy Emergency Response Team (ERT) from Karwar Naval Base has been deployed for rescue operations in the Mallapur area.
Also read: Alert issued as water level rises in Kadra dam
Officials said the ERT comprising 16 divers, four Gemini boats, associated equipment, life jackets, lifebuoys with ropes were deployed on July 23 morning.
This was following a request for assistance from Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner to people stranded near Kadra Dam, Mallapur Kurnipet, Kaiga due to heavy rains floods caused by dam overflow. The low-lying areas are flooded due to the release of water.
Coast Guard is involved in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and rescue operations. Teams comprising of 7- 9 ICG personnel were formed and deployed in the flood affected Kadra Area, Unglijoog Island, Kharegoog Island.
The rescue operations were conducted by the DRTs using 02 rubberised inflatable boats (Gemini), lifejackets, lifebuoys.
In this early morning operations 23 stranded personnel were rescued. Relentless efforts are underway by ICG personnel for further rescue and relief operation.
Officials said the Ankola-Yellapur National Highway also has been flooded due to the overflowing Gangavali river. The stranded people in the nearby places are being shifted to safer areas.
Landslide has been reported at Kalache in Yellapur. Villagers have intimated the incident to the officials. Details are awaited.
Temporary rehabilitation centers are opened in the district to accommodate the flood-hit people.
(To be updated…)
