Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur
Kundapur, Jul 20: In Karkada Badaholi, agricultural lands and homes face severe flooding issues even with minor rains during the monsoon season. Over 20 houses have been submerged, and 100 acres of agricultural land destroyed, prompting farmer leader Ramesh Menden to demand immediate relief.
"At Chitrapadi, 60 acres of farmland remain uncultivated due to obstructed water flow from the silt-filled Hire Hole stream. Previous desilting efforts provided temporary relief, but the problem resurfaced in recent years," said Ramesh during a protest in the flood-affected area.
The recent floods also threatened road connectivity on Kota Saibrakatte Road in Bannadi, where a new bridge under construction is expected to exacerbate flooding in Chitrapadi and Karkada.
Ramesh emphasised the need for a desilting project from Chitrapadi to the Kavadi stream to ensure proper drainage and called for swift action from relevant authorities. "Issues such as blocked culverts on Karkada Kavadi Road and lack of road access for homes in the Harijan Colony on Badaholi Road must be addressed urgently," he added.
The protest, attended by farmers and villagers including Umesh Hebbar, Keshav Nairi, and Achyut Pujari, culminated in the submission of a petition to Saligrama Town Panchayat chief officer Shiva S Naik.