Rs 50 Crore Released for Rescue and Relief Works in Flood-hit Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has released Rs 50 crore for rescue and relief works in heavy rain-cum-flood-hit districts across the state, an official said on Wednesday.

"The Chief Minister ordered immediate release of Rs 50 crore for emergency rescue and relief works in the districts lashed by heavy rains and floods," a secretariat official told IANS here.

"The Chief Minister also directed Chief Secretary T.M. Vijay Bhaskar to review the situation and instructed Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts to ensure safety of the people and their property," the official said.

With the southwest monsoon intensifying and advancing across the state, the Meteorological Department issued a red alert for most of the state, as heavy to widespread rains have been forecast till Friday.

"Heavy rains with gusty winds lashed coastal and Malnad regions, resulting in low-lying areas flooding, streams, ponds and lakes overflowing and disrupting normal life," a state disaster management authority official told IANS here.

Steady inflow of rain water in catchment areas has led to major reservoirs across Krishna, Tunga, Bhadra and Cauvery rivers filling up to their brims.

"Flood warning has been issued to the downstream villages in Mysuru district after 40,000 cusecs of water was released from Kabini dam at Beechanahali in H.D. Kote taluk into the Cauvery river," said the official.

Though the dam's maximum capacity is 2,284 feet, heavy rains led to its water level reaching 2,280 feet.

Heavy rainfall in Kodagu district caused a flood threat in the area. Bhagamandala and Talacauvery, which is the source of Cauvery, have filled up to the brim with heavy inflows.

"Due to heavy rain in the region, the inflow of water to Harangi reservoir has increased, forcing the authorities to release 5,500 cusecs into the river," the official added.

According to the weather bulletin, Kottigehara in Chikkamagaluru district received a whopping 310 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, followed by 230 mm at Madikeri in Kodagu, 220 mm at Hosanaga and 210 mm at Agumbe in Shivamogga, 200 mm at Londa in Belgavi and at Manchikere in Uttara Kannada district.