74 died in rain-related incidents since June in Karnataka: Minister

While 57 people were killed in June, 17 more lost their lives in rain-related incidents so far this month. Besides a total of 1465 houses were damaged in the nature's fury, Reddy said while making a suo motu statement on the damage caused due to heavy rains and floods.
Eleven districts-- Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Belgaum, Haveri, Dharwad and Chitradurga recorded excess rainfall this month, he said.
The state received excess rainfall to the extent of 19 per cent from June one to July 16, the minister said, adding Malnad areas of Kodagu, Hassan, Chikmagalur and Shimoga recorded 569 mm rainfall, highest in the last 29 years.
A contingent of National Disaster Response Force and 11 inflatable boats had been deployed in Mangalore for rescue and relief operations in coastal and other affected districts and funds ranging from Rs one to Rs two crore have been set aside for the purpose, he said.
The minister alleged that Centre had not responded to a memorandum presented by the state last year seeking Rs 2001 crore assistance for flood relief.
However, Opposition Congress Leader Siddaramaiah accused Reddy of misleading the House with incorrect figures.

Siddaramaiah charged that the Centre, during 2008-09, had released Rs 321 crore under calamity Relief Fund and National Calamity Fund to the state, but the government failed to spend Rs 127.34 crore.
"Don't blame the Centre for everything when the state has not spent the money released," he said.
Reddy said he only pointed out that the Centre had meted out "injustice" to Karnataka as it released only Rs 1.86 crore in response to the memorandum submitted.
He said he would take an all party delegation to the Centre to press for financial assistance for flood and drought relief works.
Members from coastal districts and Malnad region, cutting across party lines, wanted the government to step up relief measures and grant adequate relief to the affected.