From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Puttur/Sullia/Madikeri, Jul 12: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is travelling to inspect the heavy rains and floods damages in coastal Karnataka, Kodagu and Malnad districts, on Tuesday inspected the retention wall being built near the bridge on Netravati river at Uppinangady and appreciated the progress in the work.
Revenue Minister R Ashok, Energy Minister V Sunil Kumar, Fisheries Minister S Angara, Public Works Minister CC Patil, State BJP President and Mangaluru MP Nalin Kumar Kateel accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit.
Bommai also visited the house in Sullia, which was damaged during the recent tremors, and saw the cracks on the wall.
In Bantwal, he presented cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the dependent of the three Kerala-origin persons who lost their lives due to landslip.
Earlier in Madikeri, the Chief Minister instructed the officials to complete and hand over the remaining houses, to be distributed for those who lost their houses during the floods and landslides two years ago, within the next one and a half month.
After holding a meeting in Madikeri Deputy Commissioner’s office on the flood havoc, he said 195 houses being built by Infosys would also be handed over at the earliest.
About 835 houses have already been built for those affected by floods in 2018-19. Officials have been instructed to restore the power lines and transformers without any delay in the district.
Seismic Study
Responding to questions on the frequent tremors and landslides in Kodagu, Bommai said, prominent institutions like National Institute of Materials Sciences, National Institute of Geological Sciences, Geological Survey of India would be requested to conduct seismic study of the region.
Based on their study reports, the State Government would take appropriate permanent rehabilitation works. In some places, houses would be retrofitted to offer better protection, Bommai said.
A team from Amrita University has conducted a study in the region and submitted a preliminary report. The recommendations would be incorporated to minimize the damages by next monsoon season, he said.
Those whose houses are damaged have been shifted to Care Centres, the Chief Minister said and mentioned that some of them have taken shelter in their relatives' homes.
Officials have been instructed to distribute ration for even those who have taken shelter in their relatives' homes. Those sheltered in Care Centres would be given rations when they decide to leave for their homes, the Chief Minister said.
Task Force
The Chief Minister instructed the officials to form Task Forces in rural areas to take up relief works immediately.
Power lines should be restored and a Control Room should be set up to coordinate the works. The Deputy Commissioner has adequate funds and more funds would be granted if needed, Bommai said.
Desilting of River Basins
Deposition of silt has been one of the main causes for flooding in Harangi and Cauvery river basins. The deposition of silt is causing the rivers to overflow in many areas causing floods, the Chief Minister said.
He instructed the officials to take up desilting work. Already Rs 40 crore has been granted. Work would be started immediately to remove silt and construct retainer walls.
Cauvery Neeravari Nigam has been instructed to remove silt in Cauvery basin. The Forest department has been asked to remove logs of fallen trees which are obstructing free river flow in many places, he said.
Heavy rains in July have caused landslides in some places, roads and bridges have been damaged, many houses were inundated, power lines are snapped.
The rains have completely damaged 2 houses, 15 houses have been severely damaged and 63 houses have been partially damaged in Kodagu district.
A compensation of Rs 5 lakh for completely damaged houses, Rs 3 lakh for severe damaged houses and Rs 50,000 for partially damaged houses would be paid immediately.
An emergency assistance of Rs 10,000 has been paid for who have lost their homes, Bommai said.
The Chief Minister met former minister and senior leader MC Nanaiah in Madikeri.