Rain subsides, sun shines to aid relief work

Rainfall reduced considerably in flood-ravaged Kodagu district on Tuesday with the number of relief camps going up to 51, housing 7,594 victims.

The sun shone bright for most part of the day facilitating rescue operations, which are in the last leg. Rescue teams trekked isolated villages and checked houses, looking for survivors. No distress call was received on Tuesday, authorities said. Currently, 899 rescue personnel are stationed in the district.

A private telecom company launched efforts to restore its network connectivity at 14 sites in Harangi, Kondangeri and Madikeri on a war-footing.

With rainfall subsiding substantially, rescue teams were able to discover new areas of damage. For example, at Hattihole, it was found that a landslide had caused two buildings to slide down a long way. It was said that rescue personnel were in search of a dead body here, but this could not be confirmed.

Private bus services are yet to commence in the district. Shops are facing acute shortage of essential commodities. Hotels too are still closed.

A search operation for missing persons was carried out at Jodupala, Madenandu and 2nd Monnangeri. The district administration has decided to suspend the rescue operation of those stranded in hilly areas. Three missing cases have been reported. The condition of families in line houses in coffee estates is still not known.

ADGP Bhaskar Rao, who is in charge of rescue operations, said, “it has been decided to use drones in eight places to search for missing persons and cattle. For the first time, drones are being used during a natural calamity,” he said.

He said 1,735 persons had fallen ill in the hills and they were rescued using ropes. In the second phase, using footbridges, all domestic animals will be rescued.

Rao said rumours were being spread on social media in the name of astrologers on possible earthquake in Kodagu. The media should not carry such news, the ADGP said. Legal action will be initiated against those who spread fake news, he said.

District incharge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh said, “video footage from Kerala is being shown as that from Kodagu in the electronic media. This creates tension among the victims. The district is returning to normalcy.”

Escom officials from Ramnagar, Mysuru and Hassan are engaged in restoring power supply. The repair of over 100 electricity poles is in progress.

A total of 32 villages are in distress in the district. Such villages are being supplied with essential materials. A man has gone missing following a landslide at Hattihole in the district. The missing man is Francis Monteiro.