The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : North Karnataka situation grim: Yeddyurappa

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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

North Karnataka situation grim: Yeddyurappa

Special Correspondent

Forecast indicates heavy rainfall in the Malnad and coastal regions of the State till Sunday

The Government has released Rs. 100 crore to Deputy Commissioners for relief measures
88 food camps opened; schools, community halls to be used to set up temporary relief camps

Bangalore: Describing the situation in the rain-hit districts of north Karnataka as “grim and very serious”, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Friday sought the assistance of the Defence forces for rescue operations in the 11 affected districts.

The Government has released Rs. 100 crore to the Deputy Commissioners concerned for relief measures and for opening food distribution centres in flood-affected villages.

S.M. Jaamdar, Managing Director, Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd., has been appointed the nodal officer to monitor the relief measures. “An Air Force team is coordinating with the Government in taking up relief measures. The military forces have agreed to extend full cooperation,” the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Yeddyurappa chaired a high-level meeting with top officials of the Government and officials of the Defence forces. Heavy rain in north Karnataka has claimed 74 lives and damaged over 26,000 houses. The forecast indicates heavy rainfall in the Malnad and coastal regions till October 4. A sum of Rs. 1 lakh each has been released to the families of the dead, and it has been decided to construct houses under the Ashraya scheme for those families whose houses have collapsed. The Chief Minister directed officials to open food camps, disinfect the rain-affected areas and send medical vans to treat those in need.

“The Government is in constant touch with the Union Home and Defence ministries and the Disaster Management Authority to coordinate the relief operations,” the Chief Minister said. Four IAF helicopters have been deployed for rescue operations. Six more will join the operations shortly.

“A National Disaster Response Force team from Pune is coming to Bellary along with 120 experts and 32 special inflated boats to rescue people.”

A naval team from Karwar and a rescue team from Arakonam in Tamil Nadu are expected to join the rescue operations, he said.

So far 88 food camps have been opened. Schools and community halls will be used for setting up temporary relief camps. Mr Yeddyurappa directed officials to declare holidays for schools in the rain-affected areas. Food packets will be air-dropped, he said.

Out of Rs. 100 crore released on Friday, Rs. 12 crore each has been channelled to the most affected districts of Bellary, Raichur, Koppal, Bijapur, Dharwad, and Bagalkot.

A sum of Rs. 6 crore each has been released to Dharwad, Belgaum and Gulbarga and Rs. 5 crore each to Bidar and Haveri districts.

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