JOIN USDG and IG Neelmani Raju said that as many as 10 persons have lost their lives in the massive landslide and floods in Kodagu district and at least 9 are missing. The rescue team is searching for the bodies using drone.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Friday, the officer said, “The weather is not conducive for search operation. The drone can not function in rain-and-mist covered atmosphere.”
The missing are Gilbert (59) of Katakeri, Chendrappa (59) of Hebbattageri, Harish Kumar (42) of Hebbale, Sabu Uthappa (62) of Moovathiklu, Francis (47) of Hadigeri, Babu (56) of Makkandooru, Gauramma (53) of Jodupala, Manjula (15) of Jodupala and Gagan Ganapathi (7) of Kalooru.
The rain has wrecked havoc in Kodagu. Garuda team is being used for tracking the missing persons. The department has deployed its staff in all the 41 relief centres, she said.
The DG and IG, along with IGP Sharathchandra, and SP Sumana Pannekar visited Hattihole, the rain-affected area on Thursday.
The police department has announced that a day’s salary of all the 94,000 police personnel will be forwarded to the Kodagu Flood Relief Fund.
The DG & IG Neelmani N Raju has issued a circular on Friday stating that the decision was taken on humanitarian ground and requested everyone to cooperate in funding their day’s salary to the Kodagu flood victims.
Neelmani further stated in the circular that most of the people in Kodagu have lost their houses and are taking shelter in the rehabilitation centres as heavy rains and flood have shattered their lives. A day’s salary of entire the staff, including constables, will total upto Rs 5 crore.