Pic: Kalaburagi DC B Fouzia Tarannum (L) at Sonna reservoir following water release from Maharashtra to Bhima River, on SaturdayKalaburagi: Kalaburagi DC B Fauzia Tarannum alerted officials about the substantial release of water from the Veer and Ujani reservoirs in Maharashtra, warning that further increases might necessitate the evacuation of villagers residing along the Bhima River to safer locations.During her visit to Afzalapur on Saturday, DC Tarannum convened a meeting with taluk-level officials, instructing all taluk and village officers and staff to remain alert and prioritise the safety of people and cattle. She cautioned the public against approaching riverbanks for activities such as washing clothes or grazing cattle. The DC informed taluk officials that devotees visiting near Devala Gangapur and Ghattaraga, the taluk’s religious sites, could face challenges if water levels exceed the safety limits of the local bridge.She ordered the local administration to be prepared to assist in such events. Furthermore, DC Tarannum emphasised the need for a crop damage survey in flood-affected areas and the prompt submission of reports. In instances of house collapses or partial damage, she called for immediate compensation as per regulations, involving NDRF/SDRF support. In light of ongoing heavy rainfall, the DC highlighted the potential rise in infectious diseases and directed the health department to undertake control measures.She stressed the activation of village-wise task force committees to ensure the provision of clean drinking water to residents. Following the significant water inflow from Veer Reservoir on Friday into the Sonna Barrage, DC, accompanied by officials, inspected the barrage to assess the inflow and outflow conditions. Subsequently, she visited the Ghattaraga Bridge and engaged with devotees, urging them to avoid the riverbanks and bridge areas due to dangerously high water levels.Present at the meeting were ZP CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena, SP Addur Srinivasalu, assistant commissioner Sahitya, tahsildar Sanjeev Kumar Dasar, and KBJNL Rampur division superintendent engineer Manojakumar.
