[VIDEO ] Five killed as floods wreak havoc in Karnataka; several rivers in spate

Bengaluru: Five people have been killed in Karnataka after heavy rains triggered floods in several parts of the state on Monday. The deceased include two boys.  

Several North Karnataka rivers are in spate after torrential rains that also damaged crops worth hundreds of crores of rupees. The deaths were reported from Kusamalagi village, Chinchodi and Devadurga in Raichur district and Teggihal village in Koppal district.

Life has been thrown out of gear in five North Karnataka districts. In Belagavi district, passengers of a bus had a miraculous escape after a road caved in leaving behind a 4-feet hole and the front part of the bus fell into that hole. 

While in Chikodi, several cars and motorbikes washed away in floodwaters. In Dharwad, many motorists were stuck due to waterlogging on the streets. 

In Gadak district, 36 passengers were rescued as their bus got stuck in the middle of a bridge after the bus broke down due to heavy floodwater. All the passengers were rescued on time.

Residents have blamed improper sewage systems and the failure of the stormwater drains to hold additional rainwater for the flooding in the streets. 

On Sunday, over a thousand people protested in Bengaluru's Mahadevapura Whitefield area demanding basic amenities like a sewage system.

According to a report, the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre has said that the heavy rains and inflow in Krishna river and its tributaries may build up in the coming 2-3 days. This is due to two upper air cyclonic system in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal bringing rains in parts of Karnataka.

Residents in the flood-affected areas have slammed their respective district administrations for the delay in relief and rescue operations. 

Meanwhile, the meteorological department has issued a red alert predicting heavy rains for the entire north and south-interior Karnataka in the coming 3-4 days. The Central Water Commission has asked the state authorities to remain vigilant. 

Authorities in Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijaypura and Dharwad districts have been asked to remain alert, while State Disaster  Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been called in to help in emergency situations.

Many Karnataka districts that were still struggling to overcome devastating floods in August were again hit by heavy rains on Monday.