Record flood damage in Kodagu....

Kodagu, July 18 :-

 The Scotland of India – Kodagu – has suffered the biggest loss of this decade.

Incessant rains caused Rs 50 crore property damage. Kodagu received a total rainfall of nearly 2,000 mm, which is also a record of sorts. The District-In-Charge Minister, Mr Krishna J Palemar, told the TNN here on Saturday that a report on rain damage in the district has been submitted to the State Government seeking relief. To meet the urgent needs Rs 8 crore that has been set aside with the district administration would be utilized.

A compensation of Rs 1 lakh would be given to the family of three deceased during flash floods and appropriate compensation would also given to the households of 81 houses, which were damaged and 431 displaced persons, who are presently taking shelter in ‘Ghanji Kendras’, he added.

The Minister along with the Member of Parliament, Mr H Vishwanath, Kodagu, and the legislators, Mr Appachu Ranjan, and Mr K G Bopaish, visited the flood-hit areas including Gonikopa, Sidapur and Kathalekadu and listened to the woes of the flood-affected in five ‘Ghanji Kendras’.

Mr Vishwanth asserted that it is high time that the State Government and the district administration stopped making temporary arrangements for the flood-hit people and looked to evolve a permanent solution. “I would seek more funds from the Central Government under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Project to cater to the housing needs of people in the flood-prone areas. The State government should also use the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Limited (RGRHCL) in the regard,” he said.

On Friday, Kodagu received moderate rainfall and the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ashwathnarayana Gowda, said that the situation was improving and under control. However, the Meteorological Department predicted more rains in the next two days in Kodagu.