Bengaluru, Jun 15 (Reporter) With the monsoon intensifying over the Western Ghats, authorities in Yadgir released over 52,000 cusecs of water from the Basavasagar Dam, causing the Krishna River to swell sharply and raising flood concerns across low-lying areas in north Karnataka. The river near Narayanpur is now flowing with force akin to a waterfall, prompting alerts among residents and farmers. "As focus shifts to flood management and dam outflows in Karnataka’s Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, and Raichur districts, a parallel and largely overlooked crisis is unfolding in Gadag, where farmers along the Gadag-Betageri Road are raising alarm over the lack of critical infrastructure that renders thousands of acres of farmland inaccessible during the monsoon." "This is the main road to our fields," said a local farmer, speaking to reporters. "Thousands of farmers depend on this stretch to cultivate and access their land. Yet, there’s neither a proper road bridge nor an overpass across the two streams here. When it rains, we’re completely cut off." The situation worsens during the monsoon, as runoff water accumulates in the nullahs, making crossing hazardous or impossible. "Only a handful of us dare to cross the slushy paths, and that too at great risk. Most farmers are forced to turn back," the farmer said, adding that no meaningful government response has come despite repeated appeals. Farmers are demanding the construction of a bridge over the streams to provide all-weather access to farmlands. The present lack of connectivity, they say, is not only a logistical issue but also a direct threat to livelihood and food security. The release of dam waters upstream adds to their fears. "If there is more rain and water release, these low-lying areas will be further flooded. Without a bridge, even emergency access will be impossible," a local Gram Panchayat member noted. In the absence of timely intervention, the compounded effect of climate-linked weather events and infrastructure gaps could push farming communities deeper into distress. With the monsoon projected to intensify further in the coming weeks, farmers are urging state and district authorities to act before the situation spirals. "We are not asking for favours. We are asking for the bare minimum—safe access to our own land," said a farmer leader...////...