Karnataka flood loss pegged at Rs 6,000 crore; death toll rises to 24

www.mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, August 11, 2019: The state government has pegged the damage inflicted by torrential downpour and subsequent floods in the state at Rs 6000 crore even as the toll from various rain-related incidents stood at 24.

The chief minister had on Friday announced a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of those killed in the flood and rain related incidents. As an instant relief, the finance department has released Rs 100 crore towards flood relief. According to an official release, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would visit areas affected by floods and rains to assess the prevailing situation, on Saturday. Besides Belagavi, the affected districts are Bagaklote, Vijayapura, Raichur, Yadgir, Gadag, Uttara Kannada, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu.

The backwaters of Tungabhadra flooded parts of Davangere district blocking many roads. Landslides were reported near Maranahalli in Sakaleshpur, said official sources. Vehicles moving towards Dhramastala and Mangaluru were turned back to Sakaleshpur fearing further landslide. The entire Pane Mangaluru village in Dakshina Kannada district was inundated by the swollen Netravati river, they said.

Four helicopters have been pressed into service in wort-hit areas. Officials said the civil defence volunteers carried out 36 sorties in the last six hours in three boats and rescued 270 people and 43 cattles.

The Chief Minister, who is the lone man in the Cabinet, claimed that “all BJP MLAs have been working as mantris (Ministers)” and monitoring relief operations in their respective constituencies. Mr. Yediyurappa was on a tour of North Karnataka. He said officials and legislators of the Opposition have been visiting flood-affected areas.

Noting that the Centre has responded positively to demands of the State, Mr. Yediyurappa said it had already released the pending Rs.856 crore under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Rs.126 crore under the State Disaster Fund.