Malaprabha river goes dry, three districts stare at drinking water shortage

BELAGAVI: Amid rain in several parts of the state, the Malaprabha river is running dry near MK Hubli in Kittur taluk, leading to a drinking water shortage in the Kittur Karnataka region. The Malaprabha river is the lifeline Belagavi, Dharwad and Bagalkot districts.

This year, the Kittur Karnataka region has received little or no rain, leading to the river drying up. The water level in all the seven rivers in Belagavi district has receded and 14 taluks have been declared drought affected.

The situation is so acute that there is no water for puja at the Gangambike temple in the Malaprabha river. Old and discarded idols are visible all across the river bed. “The river originates in Kulakumbi village and flows up to Kudala Sangama. This year, the river has completely dried up in summer and there is no drinking water. All the borewells too have gone dry”, said Sri Sri Habappa Pundalik Maharaj of Sri Kshetra Hale Vittala Rukmini Mandir, MK Hubli.