Pic: The bridge between Jiroli and Khanapur in Aland taluk has collapsedKalaburagi: The villages of Aland taluk in Kalaburagi district were hit by floods following the overflowing of Gogamwadi lake in Maharashtra. This resulted in the destruction of thousands of acres of crops and eight small bridges. Roads were washed away, villages disconnected, and power poles fell.Speaking to TOI, zilla panchayat chief executive officer Bhanwarasingh Meena said he visited the affected areas, including Jiroli, Shakhapura, and Khanapur of the taluk on Saturday. He prepared an accurate report of the damage and instructed the formulation of an action plan immediately. Heavy rains from Maharashtra on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday caused panic in parts of the valley, including the villages of Tadola, Niragudi, Khanapura, and Shakhapura, up to the Vagdari Ribbanapachitati route of the state highway in Aland taluk, Kalaburagi district.Water from a ditch, approximately one hundred feet wide, overflowed, destroying thousands of acres of crops, including sugarcane. The Khanapura-Jiroli bridge was completely destroyed, while one lane was damaged in the Jiroli-Shakhapura bridge. As a result, connectivity for the villages in this area was completely cut off, preventing farmers from reaching their fields.Meena said he inspected the flood-damaged areas, including the Shakhapura and Jiroli bridges, damage sites, and farmers’ lands. Noting that the Jiroli-Khanapura-Chincholi B and Chincholi K bridges were washed away and road connections were disrupted, he stated, “The work should be started immediately from tomorrow and the road connection should be established. This will facilitate the life of the villagers,” instructing the local authorities.He said he also told officials of the horticulture and agriculture departments to submit an accurate report of crop damage and prepare to deliver compensation to the farmers. Additionally, he suggested that the Mogha-Saveleshwar village link road and Hiroli-Bhimpura road should be repaired. “As per NDRF rules, a grant proposal of more than Rs 60,000 for a single work will get approval. He directed to prepare a damage action plan immediately and submit it for approval,” he added.So far, 18 roads and eight bridges have been damaged due to the recent rains in Aland taluk.
