Kolhapur: Although Kolhapur city remained dry all through Sunday, rain in rural areas of the district caused increased water flow in rivers in the region. The district disaster management office said traffic along 11 barrages cum bridges had to be diverted as barrages were inundated.By evening, Shinganapur, Rajaram, Surve, Rui, Ichalkaranji, Terwad and Shirol barrages along Panchaganga River and Koge and Haldi barrages over Bhogawati River and Yavaluj and Thane Alave barrages along Kasari River were inundated.Water level in Panchaganga River increased to 18.8 feet on Sunday morning at Rajaram Bridge. At Shirol, water level was reported to be 33.6 feet and highest at 49 feet at Rui.A disaster management official requesting anonymity said, “We have diverted traffic along these routes to alternate ways. Most of the bridges are located in rural parts and have less traffic except Rajaram Bridge where traffic flowing into the city makes for dense vehicular movement. We have deployed security staff at the bridges. Our security people are sensitive to increased water flow into the rivers.”Gaganbawada area of the district reported the highest rainfall of 16 mm on Sunday while the city and nearby areas reported 2.81 mm. Water level in dams across the district is steadily increasing. This will help to release more water for irrigation to farms downstream.Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier forecast that the intensity of rain was expected to remain high. However, rainfall on Sunday was scanty in most parts of the district. In its seven-day forecast, IMD has said that the district will continue to get light rain for the next three to four days. According to the forecast, intensity of rain will increase after four days, when the district can expect moderate rainfall.

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