Minister visits flood-affected villages

Revenue and District In-Charge Minister V Srinivas Prasad visited flood-affected regions in Nanjangud taluk and discussed the possibilities to provide a permanent solution to villages that are annually affected by flood, owing to increase in outflow from reservoirs.

He visited villages on the banks of River Kapila — Halladakere, Tootina Beedi, Mulloor, Kallandhundi, etc — which are often affected by raising water levels.

Speaking to media persons, he said, the villages located on the banks of the river have been suffering floods from several decades.

“Kabini reservoir is the first one to fill during monsoon. So, water is released from it. If more than 50,000 cusecs of water is released, low-lying regions are affected by flood.

Halladakere, especially, has been suffering the problem annually,” he said.

He said, land has been identified at Mahadeva Nagar, where 800 houses will be constructed under Ashraya scheme.

Families affected by floods will be requested to re-locate to Mahadeva Nagar. A site and Rs 1.2 lakh will be provided for them to build houses.

He said, the taluk administration will conduct a survey on the extent of crop loss due to the deluge in a few villages and provide compensation.

Gruel centre

Speaking on the possibility of opening Gruel Centres (rehabilitation camp) for the benefit of flood-affected villagers, he said, there is no need, currently, to open camps.

Due to increased outflow from Kabini reservoir, the villages suffered flood for a couple of days. However, water level has now receded, so the possibility of opening camps is rules out, he said.

“If the inflow into the reservoir increases and one lakh cusecs of water is released from Kabini, Kullankanahundi will be inundated. Then, there will be no alternative other than relocating the villagers,” he said.

He added that there was enough funds with the district administration for flood relief. “The Calamity Relief Fund, provided to every district, will be utilised for relief activities,” he said.

Earlier, Srinivas Prasad held a meeting with officials of Nanjangud taluk and discussed various developmental activities.