Over 25,000 Hectares of Crops Lost, 180 Homes Damaged as Rains Batter Dharwad

Dharwad : Due to the low-pressure system, the Karnataka State Weather Department has forecast rainfall in Dharwad and the flood-prone areas of Bennin Halla and Tupari Halla from October 9 to 16. Dharwad Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu, also the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, directed all officials of various departments to coordinate with taluk administration, stay stationed at their respective centers, and take necessary precautionary measures.

The DC held a district disaster management meeting today at the new district office auditorium, addressing officials from various departments.

As a precautionary measure, the district administration is receiving daily updates on potential rainfall from the Karnataka State Weather Department and sharing them with officials of taluk offices. The Gram Panchayat disaster management team has been spreading awareness about the flood risks in villages by announcing through drumbeaters and using loudspeakers on vehicles. These measures have helped raise public awareness, and steps are being taken to prevent any loss of life. Helplines have been opened at the district and taluk levels to provide warnings related to the flood situation, she said.

The district is prepared with 5 rescue teams, 2 boats, 50 life jackets, 60 life buoys, and 150 raincoats as part of the precautionary measures. On October 12, two individuals trapped in the Bennin Halla flood (Kalavad and Mantur) were safely rescued and relocated, she added.

Rainfall Details from Oct 1-14:
The district has received heavy rainfall from October 1 to 14. According to records, Dharwad taluk received 141.2 mm of rain compared to the normal 61.2 mm. In Hubballi taluk, 130.6 mm of rain was recorded against the normal 61.6 mm. Kalaghatagi taluk received 155.1 mm, while the normal was 66.2 mm, and Kundagol taluk saw 171.5 mm of rain, while the normal was 60.2 mm.

Navalgund taluk received 87.7 mm, higher than the normal 59.6 mm, and Hubballi Urban taluk recorded 129.1 mm compared to the normal 64.3 mm. In Alnavar taluk, rainfall was 145 mm against the normal 62.4 mm, and in Annigeri taluk, it was 45.3 mm against the normal 63.8 mm.

25,525 Hectares of Crop Damage:
As per the preliminary report from the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, 25,525 hectares of farmland have suffered crop damage due to the excessive rainfall from October 1-14, DC Divya Prabhu stated.
Officials have been directed to ensure accurate documentation of crop and house damage without discrepancies, and strict action will be taken against those reporting false data.

Agriculture Crop Damage:
In Navalgund taluk, 8,950 hectares of farmland with groundnut, maize, and cotton crops were damaged by the rain. Annigeri taluk saw 800 hectares of groundnut, maize, and cotton crops affected. In Kundagol taluk, 8,700 hectares were damaged, and in Hubballi taluk, 6,500 hectares of maize and cotton were destroyed. A total of 24,950 hectares of agricultural crops were affected in the district.

Horticulture Crop Damage:
In Navalgund taluk, 15 hectares of onion crops were damaged. In Kundagol taluk, 500 hectares of chili crops were affected, and in Dharwad taluk, 60 hectares of vegetable and flower crops were damaged, bringing the total horticulture crop damage in the district to 575 hectares.

The administration is also addressing damage from earlier unseasonal rainfall in June, which affected 8,778.85 hectares, and actions have been initiated for compensation. Joint surveys will be conducted, and compensation will be provided accordingly.

Human and Livestock Damage:
From October 1-14, the heavy rains and floods caused various losses across the district. According to the primary reports submitted by tahsildars to the District Disaster Management Authority:

In Dharwad taluk, 1 house was completely damaged, 60 houses were partially damaged, and 12 houses were flooded. Alnavar taluk reported 1 partially damaged house. Hubballi taluk had 11 partially damaged houses, with one goat in Adargunchi village dying. Kalaghatagi taluk saw 1 house completely damaged, 1 shed affected, and 18 houses partially damaged. Kundagol taluk reported partial damage to 25 houses, and in Navalgund taluk, 56 houses were partially damaged, with 131 houses experiencing waterlogging.

In Annigeri taluk, 4 houses were partially damaged, and a wall collapse in Nagarahalli village led to the death of a pig. In Hubballi Urban taluk, 3 houses were partially damaged, and an ox drowned in Tarihal Vajpayee Nagar.

Overall, 3 livestock animals died, 2 houses were completely damaged, 178 houses were partially damaged, and 143 houses were waterlogged. The DC has directed officials to survey all cases and provide compensation as per regulations.