Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sept 8: As many as 111 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Karnataka since April 1, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Monday.
“Between April 1 and September 7 this year, 111 human lives have been lost due to various rain-related incidents. The families of the deceased have been provided Rs 5 lac each as compensation, amounting to a total of Rs 5.5 crore in relief,” Siddaramaiah informed reporters following a high-level review meeting with senior government officials and district collectors.
Widespread damage to homes and livelihoods
The chief minister revealed that the monsoon has completely damaged 651 houses and partially damaged 9,087 others across the state. Compensation has been distributed in 649 complete damage cases and 8,608 partial damage cases, totalling Rs 24.3 crore in relief payouts.
Livestock losses have also been significant, with 766 animals reported dead, for which the government has released Rs 1.52 crore in compensation.
On the agricultural front, more than 5.2 lac hectares of farmland have suffered damage. This includes 4.8 lac hectares of agricultural crops and 40,407 hectares of horticultural crops, the Chief Minister stated.
Housing and irrigation plans underway
Siddaramaiah emphasised that permanent housing must be provided to affected families under government schemes. He also directed officials to complete all essential repairs to the Tungabhadra dam before the release of water for the first crop cycle.
During a review with officials from the Krishna River basin, it was disclosed that tenders have already been floated for the replacement of 32 crest gates at the Tungabhadra dam. Of these, eight gates are ready for installation.
Officials clarified that the Tungabhadra Board, under the Central Government, holds the primary responsibility for the maintenance and infrastructure development of the dam.
“The essential repair works must be completed before the release of water for the first crop. Given the current storage level, we can only release water for the first crop, not for the second,” the chief minister added.
Above-normal rainfall recorded
From June 1 to early September, Karnataka received 4% more rainfall than the seasonal average, recording 753 mm compared to the norm of 721 mm, according to a statement from the chief minister’s office.
Last year, the state had recorded a 23% excess rainfall. While Chamarajanagar district reported a 24% deficit this year, several districts including Vijayapura, Gadag, Bagalkot, Davanagere, Tumakuru, and Belagavi have registered rainfall exceeding 20% above normal.
Major reservoirs across the state currently hold 840.52 tmc of water, slightly lower than last year’s level of 856.17 tmc for the same period, and below the full capacity of 895.62 tmc.