Rain damage in DK estimated at Rs 167.73 crores: Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao

Team Udayavani, Aug 3, 2024, 8:31 AM IST

Mangaluru: Continuous heavy rains in Dakshina Kannada district have resulted in losses amounting to Rs 167.73 crore. District in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that Rs 14.22 crore is available in the District Disaster Relief Fund for natural disaster management, with an additional Rs 4.14 crore available in various taluks.

After visiting several areas affected by rain and floods across the district on Friday, the minister addressed the media. He reported that 11 people have died, 9 have been injured, 154 houses have been completely damaged, and 484 houses have been partially damaged. Additionally, 18 animals have perished.

The Panchayat Raj Department has recorded road damage worth Rs 32.31 crore, minor bridges and culverts damage worth Rs 21.81 crore, MDR road damage worth Rs 41.20 crore, SH road damage worth Rs 40.49 crore, bridge and culvert damage worth Rs 21.78 crore, and MESCOM-related losses, including transformers and poles, amounting to Rs 10.14 crore.

Relief centers have been opened in three taluks, including Mangaluru, Ullal, and Kadaba, sheltering a total of 234 affected people. In the last 24 hours, 0.40 hectares of land in Bantwal taluk have been damaged. Overall, 7.190 hectares of horticultural crops in the district have been affected, he said.

CM’s Visit Postponed

The Chief Minister was scheduled to visit the district on Saturday. However, after being informed about the minister’s visit, he decided not to come. Minister Rao was accompanied by Abhayachandra Jain, DC Mullai Muhilan, ZP CEO Dr. Anand, MESCOM MD Padmavati, and Municipal Commissioner C L Anand.

Compensation for Damaged Houses

According to the new state government order, fully damaged houses will receive Rs 1.20 lakh as compensation, along with an additional Rs 1.20 lakh under the Devaraj Urs Housing Scheme. SC and ST categories will receive Rs 1.50 lakh, Gundu Rao said.

Unauthorized properties that have been completely damaged will receive a one-time compensation of Rs 1 lakh. Partially damaged houses will receive Rs 6,500 from the State Disaster Relief Fund and an additional Rs 43,500 from the state government, totaling Rs 50,000. Flood-affected people will receive Rs 2,500 for lost clothing and Rs 2,500 for damaged household items, the minister said.

Prioritizing Environmental Protection

The minister stressed that incidents like the one in Wayanad occur due to environmental pressure and development activities that do not maintain ecological balance. The Western Ghats are sensitive areas, and further development could lead to more disasters. Environmental and forest conservation should be prioritized, he said.

While declining to comment on the Madhav Gadgil report, the minister noted that the implementation of the Kasturirangan report faces local opposition. Responding to a question on whether the Yettinahole project is causing problems in the Western Ghats, the minister stated, “I am not an expert to comment on that. It is not the cause of the Wayanad disaster.”

Minister’s Visit to Various Areas

Minister Rao visited several rain-affected areas, including Adyapady, Kettikal Gudde, Ammunje riverbank in Bantwal, Goodinabali, Aladka, Kadavina Bagilu in Navoor, Nethravathi bridge, Anenja roadside, Kanchikara Market road area, Ajilamogaru mosque, and Maladi and Layila in Beltangady, gathering information about the rain damage.