Karnataka CM wants releases from Koyna to be gradual

New Delhi, Aug 12 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today requested his Maharashtra counterpart Vilas Rao Deshmukh that flood waters from Koyna dam be released in a gradual manner to avoid damage to the lives and properties downstream.

Talking to mediapersons here, the Chief Minister said Maharashtra was releasing 2,20,000 cusecs of water from Koyna without notice, while heavy rains were lashing the districts of Belgaum, Shimoga and Karwar, the catchment areas for Krishna basin. The state was releasing 2,40,000 cusecs from Alamatti to prevent flooding in the upstream areas bordering Maharashtra. Many villages in Gokak town and taluk were badly affected.

He said the government had provided Rs 100 crore to the Deputy Commissioners in the flood-affected areas for taking up relief and rehabilitaiton works and would release Rs 40 crore today.

Money will not be a problem for helping the people, he added.

The DCs have been directed to be alert to the flashflood situations in their respective districts and strict orders have been issued to take all possible relief measures in the flood-hit areas.

Mr Yeddyurappa said three people in Shimoga went missing in Teerthahalli and the district authorities were attempting to trace them.

In Karwar, the district administration has started 23 rehabilitation centres for helping the flood victims. In Chikodi taluk in Belgaum district, 216 families have been shifted to safe places and five rehabilitation centres were set up to provide food and shelter.

Asked about Maharashtra repeatedly resorting to a sudden release of water in Krishna river every year, Mr Yeddyurappa conceded that it was happening every year but he had spoken to the Maharashtra CM only today to ensure that the releases were gradual.

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