Karnataka: Initial government appraisal points to massive flood damage

Bengaluru, Aug 9: Floods and heavy rain in several parts of Karnataka over the past four days have damaged 1.5 lakh hectares of crops, according to a preliminary assessment by the government.

The monsoon fury has also damaged around 1,400km of roads, 211 bridges and more than 2,500 electricity poles and transformers, officials from the state revenue department said.

Belagavi sustained the most damage (70%) to crops and infrastructure among the flood-hit north Karnataka districts, which also include Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Raichur and Yadgir, the officials said.

“A final assessment can be made only after floodwaters recede,” said Lalitha Handigod, revenue deputy secretary, disaster management. “What we now have is only a preliminary assessment. We are focused on rescue operations.” The agriculture department presented a grimmer picture, saying close to 2 lakh hectares of standing crops are under water. “If the water recedes in a day or two, some of the crops may not be affected,” agriculture director BY Srinivas said. “We’ll soon have a more accurate estimate.”

According to the agriculture department officials, flooding has severely affected crops in eleven districts including Shivamogga, Hassan, Uttara Kannada, Haveri, Gadag, and Kalaburagi. Apart from standing crops like sugarcane and paddy in Belagavi, Vijayapura and other districts, rain has also damaged short-duration crops such as vegetables and horticulture crops like areca and coconut.

Sowing has been completed on 22.6 hectares of a cumulative target area of 31.2 hectares in these districts. “People were worried about drought till last month,” said Chamarasa Malipatil, honorary president, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha.

In the Malnad region, Heavy rainfall and landslips have taken a toll on cash crops such as areca nut and coffee. “Short-duration crops and horticulture crops account for about 40% of the total crop loss,” an official said. After a delayed monsoon, farmers had just picked up pace with sowing when floods hit after heavy rainfall in the Malnad region and from overflowing rivers in the northern districts.