Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 14: As per an estimate, the loss inflicted by heavy rain and floods experienced during the last some days in Dakshina Kannada district alone would have exceeded Rs 300 crore. This loss is notably higher than in the previous years, it is said. At the same time, the quantum of loss in Beltangady and Bantwal taluks may see a steep rise when the assessment is completed.

The district administration here has been getting a report prepared about the actual loss through different departments. As per the current estimate, the loss inflicted in Dakshina Kannada district is around Rs 275 crore. This figure does not include agricultural destruction. While the final estimate is yet to be made, last year the rain had caused loss of Rs 238 crore.

As per the current indications, Mangaluru taluk has suffered loss of Rs 96 crore which is markedly higher as compared to the last year, while Bantwal has accounted for Rs 31.68 crore loss. The loss inflicted on Beltangadyt taluk is around Rs 74.47 crore, Rs 44.67 crore in Puttur, and loss in Sullia taluk is around Rs 27.79 crore.

Several roads have suffered damages while some portions of the roads have been washed away. The loss on this account is over Rs 142 crore including Rs 52 crore in Beltangady alone. Rural roads have suffered loss of Rs 65 crore of which Mangaluru taluk share is Rs 19 crore. National highways have suffered loss of Rs 15 crore in which Puttur taluk accounts for seven crore rupees. Mescom has faced loss of ten crore rupees while local bodies have suffered loss of Rs 45 crore out of Rs 40 crore was suffered in Mangaluru alone. Over 325 pucca houses and 220 kutcha houses have faced damages in the district.

Although Beltangady has faced large scale destruction and devastation, Mangaluru taluk has suffered highest loss. This loss is shared between Mangaluru taluk panchayat, city corporation, Ullal city municipality, Mulky municipality, Kotekar town panchayat, etc. It is explained that more loss has been accounted for in the city as the number of local bodies is also more. Total loss as per estimate in Beltangady is Rs 74.47 crore while Mangaluru taluk has lost Rs 96.02 crore.

Destruction of paddy, areca nut, coconut, banana, and black pepper crops has been highest this time. The department of agriculture says that about 793 hectares of paddy crop has been destroyed while about 4,200 hectares of areca, coconut and banana cultivation have been destroyed. Loss in total is about Rs 19 crore.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that a team of senior officers from the union government will be visiting different taluks of the district including Beltangady and Charmadi to prepare an exhaustive report about losses within a few days.