Rain wreaks havoc in N-K

27 persons died, 1,399 houses collapsed in 3 days due to heavy rains

In Koppal alone 14 persons have died in partial collapse of houses, while in Belgaum 500 houses have been partially damaged.

Revenue Secretary Narayanaswamy said, in the last three days Belgaum, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Raichur, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Bellary and Koppal districts have received heavy rains leading to loss of lives and houses.

“The post-monsoon is very heavy in these districts. The district authorities are geared up to take up relief works,” he said.
Dr H V Parshwanath, Secretary, Disaster Management, Revenue Department said the districts of the entire Gulbarga division have been worst affected. Bijapur, Bagalkot, Koppal and Bellary have been receiving heavy rains.
 “Majority of those who died were residing in mud houses in rural areas. In just one day (on September 30) - 12 people have been reported dead due to the rains in Koppal. Rivers are overflowing and roads have been damaged extensively. Standing crops have been inundated in many places,” he said.

Relief measures
On relief measures, the Secretary said the deputy commissioners are attending the emergency works.
A sum of Rs 1 lakh is given to the kith and kin of those who have died due to the house collapse, Rs 45,000 for a house collapse and Rs 1,500 for damage to hut. The money is given as per the guidelines of the Calamity Relief Fund, he added.
To a query whether there was sufficient funds to give succour to the affected, Parshwanath said, under the Calamity Relief Fund, Rs 98 crore has been spent, and another Rs 158 crore is at the disposal of DCs. The State recently released Rs 30 crore. “We cannot utilise the money sanctioned by the CRF for road or bridge repair. The money is meant for mitigating the sufferings of the flood or drought-affected people,” he said.

Rs 1 lakh compensation
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa sanctioned Rs 1 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives due to heavy rains in the State. According to the CM’s office, 31 persons lost their lives, so far. He directed district in-charge Ministers of Bijapur and Belgaum to visit the affected places on Thursday.