BENGALURU: With heavy rainfall expected in many parts of the state, as many as 14 state districts including Coastal and Malnad region, have been kept on high alert. The state government has taken precautionary measures to face the situation, said Gangaram Baderia, Principal Secretary, Revenue department (Disaster management).
Out of 30 districts, 14, including eight districts from Coastal and Malnad region along with Kodagu, Mysuru, Mandya and other districts are on alert. A sum of Rs 237 crore has been set aside for overall rain-related disaster management.
Deputy Commissioners from these districts are also told to be on high alert and update the authorities concerned in case of emergency.
This year, since April, 135 people have died and 709 cattle were killed, with most of the deaths caused by lightning strikes. This apart, 10,000 houses were damaged during rain.
According to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) Director Srinivas Reddy, as per their records, heavy to very heavy rainfall means more than 64.5 mm and 124.5 mm a day respectively. But eight districts — including Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Shivamogga — have recorded 200-300 mm rainfall a day. This has crossed many of the previous records. An alert has been sent to the concerned, not just about flooding near water bodies, but also about landslides, tree falls and other natural calamities.
Official sources from Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority said they have many teams working under various departments whose services would be used in emergency.
Apart from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, they also have support from Fire and Emergency service, Quick Response Team from Civil Defence along with Navy, Army and Indian Coast Guard.
The NDRF team, which was in Bengaluru, has been sent to Honnavara, and if needed the NDRF from Guntur and Kozhikode are likely to join in.
Also, wherever it is not raining, Fire and emergency department teams are sent to other districts where it needs rescue team service.
Baderia told The New Indian Express that they were geared up with sufficient men and machinery. "We have instructed respective DCs to take a call, and if needed, declare holidays for schools and colleges.
They have full-fledged rescue teams with boats, divers, drugs and other essentials at their service, and money is not a constraint as each DCs can draw up to Rs 5 crore; and if needed more money can be used. We are getting weather updates once every two hours. Except Kalaburgi and Bengaluru Urban region, many districts are on alert,'' he added.
14 affected districts
Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Hassan, Kodagu, Mysuru, Mandya, Davangere, Chamarajanagar, Belagavi, Haveri, Dharwad
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