Madikeri, Aug 19: The magnitude of devastation owing to floods and landslides following torrential rains in Kodagu district is yet to unfold fully as thousands of people are staying away from their houses.
According to officials, at least 13 villages in the district have been completely destroyed in the rain. There are conflicting reports on the number of deaths, though six have been officially confirmed. Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy has announced Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of those killed in rain-related incidents and Rs 2.5 lakh initial compensation for those who lost their houses.
Nearly 2,000 personnel from the Army, National and State Disaster Response Force, and Quick Response Team of Karnataka Civil Defence have reached out to people stranded in remote hilly areas where scores are still stuck.
After incessant rains for three continuous days, the weekend brought some reprieve for people in the district with flood waters receding and intermittent spells of rain which helped rescue operations gather pace.
On Saturday, rescue teams saved more than 2,500 people from different parts while dozens of stranded people in remote villages are yet to be rescued, sources said.
Commuting in the district is still a problem as many roads across the district are damaged or cut off due to landslides. Authorities have been doing their best to clear these roads. The Mysuru-Madikeri and Mysuru-Mangaluru roads, lifelines of Kodagu, are still closed.
Meanwhile, help is pouring in from across the state to the people of Kodagu with many organisations, media houses and political parties dispatching loads of relief materials and food items.
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