Before the floods that took a toll of over 350 in Kerala subsided, floods caused by heavy rains in Karnataka’s Kodagu region has taken a toll of 12 lives and rendered 4,000 homeless.
Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy who visited the flood-hit areas on Sunday, on Monday said a total of 845 houses have been damaged, out of which 773 houses are partially damaged. 123 km of road, 58 bridges, 278 government buildings and 3,800 electric poles have been damaged in the floods.
The CM said he had concluded an aerial review of the flood situation in Kodagu on Sunday and had visited some relief camps.
“As of today, until 10 am, 4,320 people have been rescued and brought back safely to relief centres. In total, 1,725 specially trained experts from KSRP, SDRF, Army, Navy and Air force, NCC, Home guards and the district administration have been deployed in rescue operations,” the CM said.
He also announced that the government will distribute an interim relief of Rs3,800 per family to the 5,800 distressed people who are sheltered in relief centres. Action has also been initiated to reach groceries and other essential commodities to the 50,000 aggrieved families through 10 mobile distribution units, he said.
Adequate supply of drinking water and milk is being ensured in these centres, the CM added. Relief materials that are sent to Kodagu is being stored in APMC yard at Madikeri and is being distributed through Panchayats.
He also told the press that the Prime Minister and Defence Minister have spoken over phone and enquired about the situation and extended complete support.
Meanwhile, roads connecting Bhagamandala, Napoklu, Ayyageri, Sulya and Madikeri have been damaged in several places and the PWD is taking up restoration work on a war footing.
Other restoration work within the district will be done using local workforce under the MNREGA scheme to clear the debris in Kushalanagar, Suntikoppa, Somavarapete and other places, the CM said.