Rescue teams deployed in Kodagu have rescued more than 3,500 people so far, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Sunday.
Briefing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind, who had called him to enquire about the situation in Kodagu, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the Army, the Navy, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other rescue teams were involved in the operations.
The Prime Minister also tweeted that he spoke to Mr. Kumaraswamy on the situation in Karnataka.
“Extended all possible support in the rescue and relief operations. I pray for the safety and well-being of those in the flood-affected areas,” Mr. Modi said in his tweet.
The Chief Minister, who cancelled his scheduled visit to Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga, conducted an aerial survey of Kodagu for the second consecutive day on Sunday, taking stock of the situation in Somwarpet, Suntikoppa, Madapura, Mukkodlu, Harangi backwaters, Siddapura, Kushalnagar and surrounding areas. He later landed at Periyapatna and went to Madikeri by road.
En route, Mr. Kumaraswamy met victims in Avarthi, Sai Extension and Kuvempunagar Extension in Kushalnagar and assured them of government aid.
200 houses submerged
Flood waters had submerged about 150 to 200 houses in Sai Extension and another 400 houses had been affected in Kuvempunagar Extension.
He also promised aid to the people sheltered at the relief centre in Suntikoppa.
After reaching Madikeri, Mr. Kumaraswamy met the district administration officials and discussed rescue and relief operations.
In view of the shortage of toilet facilities at relief centres, the CM directed officials to ensure that the 120 temporary mobile toilets, on their way to Kodagu, are installed by Monday.
He also directed Public Works Department officials to repair roads on a war footing to restore connectivity.
He asked officials to pay particular attention to the Mangaluru-Madikeri road, which was in a deplorable condition.
Minister for Tourism and Sericulture S.R. Mahesh, who is also district in-charge, and Deputy Commissioner Srividya P. were also present.
BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa too visited Kodagu and spoke to flood victims. He was accompanied by BJP MPs, Shobha Karandlaje and Pratap Simha.
