This story is from August 21, 2018

Aid trickles into Kodagu: Each family gets Rs 3,800, foodgrains

Aid trickles into Kodagu: Each family gets Rs 3,800, foodgrains
Relief material
BENGALURU/MYSURU: In a disappointment to 6,500 people sheltered in relief camps across Kodagu, the Karnataka government on Monday announced an “initial compensation” of Rs 3,800 in cash and foodgrain to every family affected by the torrential rain and landslides in the district over the past three weeks.
Over 1,600 houses have been damaged in the district, which received nearly thrice the normal rain for the month in the first three weeks of August.
The previous record was in 1924.
Describing the situation as “far more severe than the flood fury in North Karnataka in 2010”, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said the government would do everything possible for the people of Kodagu to rebuild their lives. The toll went up to 12 on Monday. The majority, traumatised by landslides, chose to stay put in relief centres.
The chief minister promised 2,000 temporary sheds within a week for those who have lost their houses. Immediately, besides the cash, each family will get 5kg rice, 1kg sugar and tur dal, 1 litre of palm oil and 5 litres of kerosene. Many inmates at relief camps said they had lost all their belongings and were living on the generosity of donors.
The CM visited Kodagu over the weekend and held a meeting with officials on Monday. “All those stranded have been rescued and shifted to relief centres. However, I have asked rescue teams to stay put in the district for 2-3 more days as a precautionary measure,” he said.
Assuring maximum cash assistance to people, irrespective of their financial position, to rebuild their houses, Kumaraswamy said he has asked officials to prepare a detailed plan.

Revanna flings food at victims, stirs row
Minister HD Revanna has courted controversy after a video showed him throwing biscuit packets at flood victims in Hassan’s Ramanathapura, reports Shrinivas M. CM HD Kumaraswamy claimed there was no malice in Revanna’s behavior and that it was unintentional. P 4
Industry fears 50% drop in coffee crop
This season, coffee production could see a 50% drop in Kodagu, Chikkamagalur and Hassan districts, which account for 70% of India’s output, reports Manu Aiyappa. Estimates say landslides and rain have destroyed 5,000 acres of estates in Kodagu. P 4
Kodagu is toughest terrain for rescuers
Rescuers in Kodagu are up against toughest challenges: Scattered human habitations, snapped road links and most areas buried under mounds of soil, reports Kiran Parashar. A hilly Kodagu is the most daunting, and cops carve out a path to reach the victims. P 4
Temporary sheds to be set up for the homeless
“Around 2,000 temporary sheds will be set up in a week. Officials are searching for land,” he said. The government has directed the Kodagu district administration to provide jobs to people under MGNREGA.
Amid reports of a teenager killing himself after his certificates were ruined in the rain, the chief minister said all help would be extended to students. Textbooks would be distributed free of cost. “Students in Kodagu district have lost 20 days of classes in August. We’ve asked the education department to conduct special classes,” he said.
Some 123km of roads and 58 bridges have been damaged in Malnad region, Kumaraswamy said, adding the government has sought help from the Army’s engineering group to repair and rebuild infrastructure on a war footing. Infrastructure worth Rs 3,000 crore has been damaged as per initial estimates. The government has shifted five divisions of PWD to Kodagu to start road work. Efforts to restore electricity in the district are also being carried out on priority.
The CM said he would approach the Centre for assistance only after getting a detailed loss assessment report. “The coffee and arecanut growers have suffered a massive loss. I have asked officials to conduct an assessment. After that I will approach the Centre. I told PM Modi as much when he called me,” the CM said.
Deputy CM G Parameshwara also held a review meeting and met flood victims at their residences and at several relief centres. “Once the rain recedes, the state government will identify a location for a building to house all the affected families. Those affected must keep patience,” he said at a camp in Suntikoppa.
HP experts to find out reasons
Amid allegations that indiscriminate digging and deforestation led to landslides, the state government has sought help from Himachal Pradesh to ascertain the reasons for the tragedy. “We want to find out what caused massive landslides in Kodagu. Chief secretary Vijay Bhaskar has already spoken to the Himachal govenment and a team of experts is coming to the state to study the soil structure,” Kumaraswamy said. The government allayed fears about the possibility of earthquakes and the safety of reservoirs in Malnad.
LEGISLATORS CONTRIBUTE
Political parties in Karnataka on Monday decided to donate their salaries for rescue and relief measures in Kodagu. While BJP MPs, MLAs and MLCs are contributing one month’s salary, the Congress decided to contribute two months’ salary. The Congress stated that a committee of five members, including food and civil supplies minister B Z Zameer Ahmad Khan has already collected Rs 10 crore in kind and cash.
All 198 BBMP corporators, including the mayor and deputy mayor, have also donated a month’s salary for Kodagu. The BJP is sending about 10 tonnes of foodgrains and relief materials on Tuesday.
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