56 villages in Dharwad face flood risk ahead of monsoon

Dharwad: As many as 56 villages across 35 gram panchayats in Dharwad district have been identified as vulnerable to floods ahead of the 2026 monsoon season.The details were shared during a review meeting on pre-monsoon preparedness conducted by the District Disaster Management Authority here on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by district in-charge secretary and KPTCL managing director Ram Prasat Manohar.Officials informed that the Bennihalla and Tupparihalla streams flowing through Kundgol, Hubballi, Navalgund and parts of Dharwad taluks are among the district’s major flood-prone watercourses. Heavy rainfall in their catchment areas, especially around Dhundasi in Shiggaon taluk of Haveri district and Kittur in Belagavi district, often leads to flooding in downstream villages.According to the district administration, 17 villages in 10 gram panchayats of Kundgol taluk, seven villages in Hubballi taluk, 26 villages in 15 gram panchayats of Navalgund taluk, five villages in Dharwad taluk and one village in Annigeri taluk are prone to floods.These villages have a total population of 2.2 lakh, a livestock population of 80,439 and agricultural land covering over 2 lakh acres. Authorities estimate that floods could affect 8,677 people, 3,188 livestock and 85,514 acres of farmland. As a precaution, 71 relief centres and six cattle shelters have been identified.The fire and emergency services department has kept rescue equipment ready, including lifebuoys, life jackets, chain saws, ropes, searchlights, inflatable boats, outboard motors, portable pumps and auxiliary lighting systems.Deputy commissioner Snehal said the district has 4.7 lakh tonnes of fodder, sufficient for the next 45 weeks.Drinking water scarcity has been reported in parts of Dharwad, Hubballi and Kalghatgi taluks. At present, 22 villages are being supplied water through 27 private borewells, she said.Ram Prasat Manohar directed officials to ensure citizen-friendly administration and asked departments to prevent shortages of seeds and fertilisers during the sowing season. He stressed the need for complete FRUITS ID registration of farmers, timely compensation disbursal and speedy implementation of the ‘Namma Hola Namma Daari’ scheme.