Pic: Motorists navigate a waterlogged stretch near Navalur bridge on Dharwad-Hubballi RoadDharwad: Incessant rainfall for the last one week has disrupted normal life in Dharwad district. The district has received 122.4mm rain between Aug 1 and 18 — nearly 50% more than the normal of 81.5mm for the period. Cumulatively, between June 1 and Aug 18, the district received 387.7mm rainfall as against the normal of 356.6mm — an excess of 9%.However, the rains in Aug have caused severe damage to public properties and the worst-hit were Navalgund and Annigeri taluks. Navalgund received 190.1 mm rainfall between June 1 and Aug 18 — which is 384% more than the normal of 39.3mm while Annigeri received 159mm — which is 234% more than the normal of 47.6mm. Hubballi and Alnavar taluks received deficit rains. While Hubballi received 22 % less than the normal between June 1 and Aug 18, Alnavar received 34% less during the same period.Though there have not been significant reports of crop loss and livestock fatalities, public properties have taken a major hit. According to official sources, 290 classrooms in 70 schools, 49 anganwadi centres, 340km of rural roads, 106.6km of roads under municipal corporation and local bodies, 18.68km of district roads, 6.7km of state highway, 95 bridges/CDs belonging to panchayat raj engineering dept and public works department, 42.9km of drains belonging to HDMC and local bodies, 12 tanks, 1,241 electricity poles and 80 transformers have been damaged.Deputy commissioner Divya Prabhu told TOI on Monday that 56 villages in 35 gram panchayats under the Bennihalla and Tupparihalla command areas are flood-prone and about 1,800 families are considered to be at risk. She said 34,000 hectares of agricultural land fell within the flood prone zone. “Steps have been taken to tackle any eventuality and people in the flood prone areas are being daily briefed about the situation. As many as 71 relief centres have been set up and nodal officers have been appointed. Disaster management committees have been constituted in 56 villages that are likely to be affected by floods,” the DC said. Divya said 100 sheep and three shepherds who were struck in a stream near Byahatti in Hubballi taluk were rescued while four persons and a dog struck in Bennihalla near Yamanur village were brought to safety by the fire and emergency services personnel. Three persons each in Morab and Shiraguppi have also been rescued.Holiday declared for schools, PU colleges todayAs the rain continues to batter the district for the third consecutive day, the DC has declared holiday for all anganwadi centres, primary and secondary schools and PU colleges in the district on Tuesday. The official said that the decision has been taken for the safety of children. Extra classes will be held on govt holidays to compensate for the study loss, she added.
