Relief work in full swing in Kodagu : Karnataka announces Rs 25 cr aid

Bengaluru: With rehabilitation work in full swing in rain-ravaged Kodagu, the Karnataka government on Wednesday said all efforts would be made to restore normalcy at the earliest in the district where torrential rains that lashed the district last week have claimed 12 lives.

Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge announced Rs 25 crore aid towards relief measures. "The social welfare ministry has reserved a care package of Rs. 25 crore. 

We hope this will address immediate needs. The road to recovery will be hard and long, but we will try restore normalcy sooner than later," he said in a statement.

Thousands have been rendered homeless in the rains that left a trail of destruction. Several houses were inundated, and people affected. The government is making every effort to rescue and provide relief to those marooned, Kharge said. 

He directed officials of the social welfare department to tour the district and assess the damage caused by the unprecedented rains. "The department will survey and take immediate action as soon as the rains subside, " he said. 

The National Disaster Response Force personnel are working in tandem with the state government to carry out relief operations. 

Police personnel have also been engaged, he added. Meanwhile, Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji visited flood-affected people of Somwarpet taluk and assured them of all help.

Repair on roads was going on in full swing at Jodupala and surrounding areas bordering Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts, which had been severely hit by flash floods and landslides last week. 

Fire and Rescue service personnel, police, forest department staff and volunteers are carrying out rescue operations at Jodupala. 

Earth movers have been engaged to remove huge boulders blocking the highway, Puttur assistant commissioner Krishnamurthy said.