New Delhi: At least 12 people have died in Karnataka in torrential rains and subsequent floods that have hit the state in the past couple of days. This is the second time in the last two months that Karnataka has witnessed a large number of deaths due to such calamity.
With the departure of the monsoons being delayed this year, large parts of the country have experienced heavy rains and flooding even in the month of October. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ data, 1,673 people died across the country due to rains or flood until September 29.
This time around, the worst affected part of Karnataka is its north interior, comprising of the districts of Dharwad, Belagavi, Gadag, Haveri, Vijayapura, Kalaburgai, Bagalkote, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru.
In several areas, houses and government buildings in low-lying areas have been completely inundated. The government has said that 5,444 houses have also been damaged.
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The government has decided to send its ministers to the flood-affected regions to oversee the rescue and relief work. Law and parliamentary affairs minister J.C. Madhuswamy told the media that a team of ministers would visit flood-affected areas. “The relief that has already been given by the government to those affected by floods (in August) will be applicable to those getting affected now,” he said.
The government said the ministers will stay in the affected areas and work in tandem with district deputy commissioners. After two-three days, Madhuswamy said, the government will release reports of the affected regions.
The Karnataka government said it has already sent two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to Belagavi, where two State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are already in place. Another NDRF team has been sent to the Gadag district.
With more rain forecast for the next four-five days in the coastal and Malnad regions by the Indian Meteorological Department, the outflow from dams, which are now full to the brim, is also being closely monitored. At a time when dams in Krishna and Cauvery basins have touched their optimum level, the state is now bracing for a greater inflow in the Krishna river basin from parts of Maharashtra.
For the damage caused in August, the B.S. Yeddyurappa government had demanded Rs 35,160.81 crore from the Centre. Out of this, only Rs 1,200 crore has been released by the Centre as interim relief.