Karnataka gets Rs 46 cr for relief work in flood-hit Kodagu
Bengaluru, Aug 27 : Karnataka has so far received Rs 46.15 crore as funds for relief and rehabilitation of people in flood-hit Kodagu district, an official statement said.
"The Chief Minister's relief fund has received a total of Rs 46.15 crore through contributions from various state's institutions, private firms and employee associations," a statement from Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's office said.
Demand Drafts (DD) worth Rs 14 crore were received through 153 different individuals and organisations, while more than Rs 9 crore was transferred to the relief fund through internet banking and digital wallets.
Kodagu's villages, towns and public infrastructure were severely damaged after torrential rains caused floods and landslips in the hilly district during the southwest monsoon from August 14-22.
According to preliminary estimates, the district has suffered losses worth Rs 1,140 crore to public and private property as a result of the rains, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner P. Sreevidya earlier said.
At least 34 village panchayats have been badly damaged.
Apart from the Chief Minister's relief fund, several Kannada media houses, private organisations and non-governmental organisations have also been collecting funds to help the region in distress.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her visit to the district last week announced Rs 1 crore aid from Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), being a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka.
She had also said Rs 7 crore will be given to the affected district from the state-run defence organisations' corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.
While Karnataka has sought Rs 2,000 crore interim relief from the Centre for rehabilitation measures in the hilly district, Sitharaman had said the aid will be announced only after an assessment of the losses.
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Jammu-Srinagar NH shut for second day as road clearance operations continue in Ramban
Jammu (PTI): Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as the work to clear the fresh landslides is going on amid heavy rains in the Ramban district, officials said.
The strategic 270-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by multiple landslides early Monday. Though it was reopened for a few hours on Tuesday morning, two major landslides forced its closure, they said.
According to a traffic update issued at 10 am, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) continues to remain blocked, with road clearance operations underway at Shalgarhi and Banihal.
“Road clearance is going on, but it will take some time. Moreover, there is continuous rainfall along the highway,” the advisory said.
A traffic police spokesperson said movement has been stopped in both directions — from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa — due to a heavy landslide between Digdol and Khooni Nallah on Tuesday. “The road is completely blocked,” he said.
Officials said more than 400 vehicles are stranded at various points along the highway.
Men and machinery have been pressed into service to clear the debris, but intermittent rains are disrupting the restoration efforts.
Authorities have advised commuters not to travel on NH-44 until the road is fully restored.
“People are advised not to pay heed to rumours and check the status of roads through the traffic police’s official social media handles and traffic control units,” the spokesperson added.
