Bengaluru/Mangaluru, Aug 6: Battered by torrential rains, several parts of Karnataka are facing a flood-like situation for the third consecutive year, putting lives and property at risk.
Several districts of the state's coastal, Malnad and north interior regions are receiving heavy rains and the showers are expected to continue, while there are reports of landslides in hilly areas of Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts.
With flood-like situation in several parts of the state, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who is currently undergoing treatment for COVID-19 infection at a private hospital here, has ordered immediate release of Rs 50 crore for emergency relief.
"In wake of heavy rains in several parts of the state, I have instructed the Chief Secretary to review the situation and issued instructions to DCs (Deputy Commissioners) to closely monitor the situation & take necessary measures. Also ordered immediate release of Rs 50 crores for emergency relief purposes," he tweeted last night.
A statement released by the CMO on Thursday said, Yediyurappa has directed the district in-charge Ministers to take precautionary measures in the wake of heavy rainfall across the state.
He instructed the ministers to remain in their constituencies and tour the damaged areas and also directed them to undertake relief distribution and other necessary measures.
"Rs 50 crore has already been released and if necessary more funds would be released. The ministers can take decisions regarding emergency works," he added.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka said he had spoken to Deputy Commissioners of all the districts and given them necessary instructions to respond immediately to the situation.
He has called for a meeting of the disaster management authority later today.
Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said he will be holding a meeting with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) regarding relief and rescue measures to be taken.
Parts of districts in coastal and Malnad regions are currently under red alert and rains are likely to continue there.
Officials said, "... depending on the situation we will downgrade the alerts, it (rains) is likely to reduce during the next couple of days...wind speed is also high some parts, it may also reduce."
In Kodagu district along with widespread rains, landslides have also occurred.
There have been landslides at Brahmagiri, near Talacauvery, the origin of river Cauvery.
"At least four to five people- including the Talacauvery temple priest and family are currently missing... rescue teams have reached the spot," officials said, adding that sensing danger the priest had been asked to vacate the house earlier but he did not.
This is the third consecutive year that Kodagu is facing floods and landslides.
Several parts of north Karnataka, especially the border district of Belagavi are also facing flood situation as inflow has increased in Krishna river and its tributaries due to heavy rains in neighboring Maharashtra and also in the district.
With inflow increasing in Tungabhadra river, there is flood like situation in parts of Ballari district also.
There is a similar situation in Uttara Kannada district that is battered by rains and heavy winds.
The swollen Gangavali river has caused flood like situation in parts of the district.
Due to continuous rains in coastal and Malnad region several rivers including Netravati are swollen and gates of the dams have been opened.
There are also reports of heavy rains and wind causing destruction to crops in parts of Dharwad and Haveri among other districts.
The Karnataka government had recently said it has identified 1,989 villages and over 51 lakh people in 19 districts as flood prone.
As a temporary arrangement for those who will be affected by floods, as many as 1,747 relief centres have been identified- they are schools, anganwadi centres, community centres among others, Minister Ashoka had said recently.
In August 2019, Karnataka witnessed one of its worst natural calamities when heavy floods affected 103 taluks in 22 districts, killing more than 80 people and displacing nearly seven lakh people.
During the meeting, Sonia expressed her unhappiness over the manner in which the State party leaders handled the controversy over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's expensive wristwatch, the sources said.
Comments
Remove both siddu and parameshwar from their respective positions. Allow new faces otherwise congress in the state will repeat the same result in state which happened with congress in the central. Siddu is responsible for Hebbal loss.
Well said Ibrahim, no need opposition party to Siddu/Cong when Parameshwar is there. Most Congis are more than Sanghis only diff is CHEDDI is covered in white Lungi/Pyjama.
G Parameshwara is unfit for any post.
Dr. Parameshwar is playing petty politics within Congress as he is eying on the CM post. Instead of his intentions of removing Sidda Ramayya, he should be removed from KPCC president post and Home ministry, as he handled MP Ananthkumar case very badly. His silence on Ananthkumar's rhetoric against Islam indicates that he is very soft to RSS/Saffron thugs.
The KPCC president should be without any ministerial portfolio and best candidate will be MLC Ugrappa. High command should take necessary steps and all vacant posts of Chairmanships and other to be filled with honest congressmen as soon as possible.
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