Massive search and rescue operations are continuing despite inclement weather and hazardous conditions in the flood-hit Kodagu district of Karnataka. The weeklong rains and unprecedented landslips have claimed 12 victims and 4,320 people have been rescued in the coffee land of India.
Vast expanses of coffee plantations and paddy fields have been inundated, causing a loss of more than Rs. 2000 crore, according to an official of the Coffee Board.
Karnataka Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy who toured the affected areas for the last two days told newsmen in Bengaluru on Monday that rescue operations were in full swing by nearly 1700 experts including the Armed forces, Civil Defence and government officials.
Two senior IAS officers were heading rehabilitation works on a war footing.
“Since August 13 the district had been battered by rains and landslips with nearly 845 houses collapsed, 773 partially damaged and roads to the extent of 123 km severely damaged”, said the Chief Minister. Besides 278 government buildings and 3800 electric poles have been damaged, he added. There was a let-up in the rains though, he said.
Kumaraswamy said that the state officials had also contacted their counterparts in Himachal Pradesh to seek details about prevention of landslips and two experts from that state were expected to visit the affected areas to take protective measures. They would be assisted by local experts.
He said the district Incharge Minister, Sa Ra Ramesh was camping in the district supervising the rescue and relief operations.
Drones have been deployed to spot stranded people and help rescue them and shift them to rehabilitation camps.
Entire hillocks have slipped down in virtually the entire district and still a large number of people are believed to be trapped in inaccessible areas.