K'taka suffers crop loss in 71,266 hectares due to floods
Bangalore, Aug 4 (UNI) Karnataka has lost standing crop in 71,266 hectares of land in five districts following floods due to heavy rain in neighbouring Maharashtra, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy informed today.
Giving details about the flood situation, he said 159 villages in five districts of Bagalkot, Belgaum, Bijapur, Gulbarga and Raichur were hit and 41 villages had submerged in the deluge, affecting as many as 3,64,369 people.
One boy had lost his life at Surapura in Gulbarga district when he ventured into the river for swimming. Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar visited his house and handed over the relief amount, he added.
The government had opened 47 relief centres to help evacuees in low-lying areas. Seventyfive boats were pressed into service to rescue stranded people, he added.
To a question, he said there was a need to create permanent relief measures for the affected people and the government would work in that direction. Those affected would be given 20 kgs of rice and 10 litres of kerosene immediately, he added.
He said the government had released Rs 13 crore for taking up relief works in the affected districts.
Mr Kumaraswamy later left for Belgaum to make an on the spot assessment of the affected parts. He would be staying in one of the affected villages tonight in Athani Taluk and leave for Raichur tomorrow.
UNI SR RG TS1636