The multi-agency rescue mission in flood-ravaged Kodagu district is scouting for individuals who may have been left behind and is trekking through isolated villages.
On Tuesday, the rescue team, drawn from the Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, Home Guards, Quick Response Team from the civilian defence, Fire and Emergency Services Personnel and 200 NCC cadets are screening every house in the villages to ascertain if there were any individuals missing.
Though no distress calls have been received since Monday, the number of relief camps across the district has gone up to 51 and there are 7,594 persons housed in them, according to Relief Commissioner Gangaram Baderia.
The Air Force, in its continuing efforts to airlift the stranded or drop food packets, has stationed two M 17 helicopters, one each in Mysuru and Bengaluru. Five tonnes of relief material was airlifted from Yelahanka Air Force Station to Mysuru.
To prevent the outbreak of epidemicS, the authorities have started distribution of chlorine tablets, besides fogging of the relief centres. Medical teams have been pressed into service to conduct health camps and the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare is camping in Madikeri to oversee the implementation of preventive measures.
Meanwhile, prooviding temporary relief, the rains in Kodagu was abating. According to the Met Department, the average rainfall in the district for the 24-hour period ending 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday was 22.5 mm and in Madikeri — one of the worst affected taluks — the average was 27.63 mm. The data also indicates that rains have receded significantly in the hinterland like Bhagamandala, Napoklu and Sampaje.
