Karnataka Minister of Revenue R Ashok inspects flood-affected Kalaburagi district
Bengaluru:
The flood situation in many parts of Karnataka also remained grim on Friday due to torrential rains and the release of water from the state’s main dams. Northern Karnataka remained the hardest hit as it was the third time flooding hit the region in the past three months. Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, Gadag, Dharwad, Bagalkote, Vijayapura and Haveri were the most affected.
An overflowing Bhima river devastated the districts of Kalaburagi and Yadgir, inundating many villages and destroying standing crops. According to reports, water gushed into food storage warehouses and lentil mills, destroying food grains and other goods.
#WATCH: 5.11,000 cusecs of water were discharged from the Sonna Dam into the Bheema River in Afzalpur of Kalaburagi District earlier in the day. #Karnatakapic.twitter.com/bYSN0XDyrA
– ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2020
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said the Center was aware of the situation in Karnataka. “The Center is aware of the prevailing situation. I have just spoken to the Union Minister of the Interior who has assured us of all assistance,” he said. Stating his government is determined to carry out relief operations, Yediyurappa said Revenue Minister R Ashoka has started to visit areas affected by the floods.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Disaster Management Authority made a presentation to Interior Minister Basavaraj Bommai on the flood situation. Monsoon rains this year were well above normal, according to KDMA officials.
“While the average rainfall at the end of September in the state is around 800mm, this year it has reached around 1,000mm. A KDMA official said.
The KDMA, in association with the district authorities, has opened 41 relief camps, including 36 in Kalaburagi alone, where 4,864 people have been accommodated, the official said.
