Karnataka: Heavy rainfall alert for 13 districts; govt seeks Rs 4,000 crore assistance from PM Narendra Modi

Mumbai: In a worrying situation, the Meteorological Centre, Bengaluru, has warned of rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in all districts of coastal Karnataka. The weather department has also predicted heavy downpour at isolated places, including Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgiri and Raichur districts in north interior Karnataka.

Meanwhile, an official from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) confirmed to IANS that though the rainfall intensity has reduced, an Orange alert has been issued for coastal Karnataka districts Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, Bagalkote, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur Yadgir, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kodagu and Shivamogga in the south of Karnataka

"The intensity of rainfall in coastal districts is likely to come down from Wednesday. We are expecting rainfall only Monday and Tuesday," the weather official said.

The Met department has forecast a generally cloudy sky for Bengaluru city. The state capital is expected to receive rainfall for the next two days.

The Karnataka government on Monday said it has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide additional special assistance of Rs 4,000 crore to handle the flood situation in the state. 

In the last few days, heavy downpour in several parts of Malnad, coastal and interior Karnataka has led to floods and landslides and affected lives and property.

The incessant rainfall has affected at least 12 districts and 12 people are said to have been killed since August 1.

"Preliminary assessment of damage is around 3,000 houses, 80,000 hectares of crops, 3500 km of roads... also damage to electrical infrastructure, transformers, buildings, bridges, minor irrigation tanks are there," Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa –led government has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide a special assistance of Rs 4,000 crore to handle the flood situation in the state.

"As per the initial assessment Rs 4,000 crore loss has occurred. It is a preliminary estimate because rains are continuing. A proper survey has to be done," Bommai said.