Monsoon killed 91, caused loss of Rs 89 cr

As many as 91 people have lost their lives, around 121 cattle have died and an estimated 1,143 houses have been damaged so far from April.

The Revenue department has estimated the total damage at Rs 88.97 crore, including Rs 87.40 crore in infrastructure like road networks, bridges and government buildings.

Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Tumkur, Kodagu, Haveri, Hassan, Davangere, Dakshina Kannada and Chikmagalur are the worst affected districts. Official sources said a majority of deaths are due to lightning.

Below normal

According to data available with the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, the overall rainfall in the State between June 1 and August 9 is two per cent below normal - it has rained 506.5 mm against the normal of 515.2 mm. Only 12 districts have received excess rainfall, while it is deficit in five districts. The remaining 14 districts have received normal rains.

The rainfall has largely been scattered during this period. Except for Kodagu, all three districts in Malnad region - Shimoga, Hassan, Chikmagalur -- have received less than normal rainfall. Even Uttara Kannada district in the coastal region has received less rain.

Bangalore Rural, Ramanagara, Kolar, Bellary, Koppal, Yadgir and Bagalkot have received excess rain so far. These districts usually receive scanty rain. Bangalore Urban district has received two per cent less rainfall against the normal of 196.2 mm since June 1.

However, in the last one week, heavy rains have been reported from all districts of the coastal and the Malnad regions. About five people and  117 head of cattle have died in these districts during this period. Kodagu has received the highest of 284.7 mm rainfall against the normal of 174.2 mm in the last one week.

Revenue Secretary K S Prabhakar said relief and rescue operations have been taken up on a war footing in the affected places. About 200 rehabilitation centres (gruel centres) have been opened in districts receiving heavy rains. The department has so far released about Rs 30 crore to district administrations for the purpose. He said wireless sets have been provided to all tahsildars so that they can communicate with their higher-ups in the event of any natural calamity.

The rainfall has brought a big relief to the Karntaka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) as the water level at all three major hydel reservoirs - Linganamakki, Supa and Mani -has gone up.