Villagers in Gadak district dig up NH to prevent flooding

GADAG: With the devastation caused by the floods in August still fresh in their minds, the residents of Konnur village in Gadag district took a novel route to prevent the recurrence of the natural calamity. This time, they dug up National Highway 218, to create a channel to divert water from the overflowing Malaprabha river. This, the residents say, prevented flooding of the village.

With water released from the brimming Naviluteertha dam in Saundatti taluk into the Malaprabha, the residents decided to create the channel to prevent marooning of their village. They dug up the highway in such a way that the river water diverted away from the village. Meanwhile, the administration has not taken any objection to the villagers damaging the national highway as it was done only after bringing it to the notice of the deputy commissioner.