Two died, properties worth Rs 20 cr damaged: DC
Rain damage in Dakshina Kannada
Mangaluru, May 30: Deputy Commissioner Sasikumar Senthil said that two persons have lost their precious lives and the properties worth Rs 20.74 crore was damaged in the rains that lashed the coastal region on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters about rain damages at his office here on Wednesday, he said that the rain lashed the coastal region for almost six hours continuously recording 368 mm rainfall. The district had recorded the average rainfall of 156.8 mm. Because of the heavy rains, roads, bridges, private buildings, electric poles and others worth Rs 16.63 crore were damaged. Total 560 houses were damaged causing the loss of Rs 4.11 crore. In the district, total 35 houses including 30 in Mangaluru taluk alone were completely damaged and the loss was estimated at Rs 78.33 lakh. Apart from this, 42 houses including 22 houses in Mangaluru taluk were partially damaged and 483 houses have minor damages, the DC said.
The district administration would issue compensation to the houses which were completely damaged in a couple of days. Remaining partially damaged houses and with minor damages would verified once again and disburse the compensation, he said.
The onset of monsoon rain should have been started from June 1. But because of the depression, the monsoon started three days ahead of the actual date. The district administration has taken all measures for the last one month to tackle the monsoon rains. The district would get an average rainfall of 150 mm. Earlier also, the district has seen such a rainfall. As the district administration was not prepared to face the rains for six hours continuously, it has faced lot of problems and inconvenience, he said.
As there was waxing in Phalguni and Netravati rivers on Tuesday morning, the rainwater could not reach the rivers due to which low-lying areas were marooned. But by the evening, the water level in the rivers was decreased and the rainwater gushed into the rivers. Since the district administration was prepared to face the eventuality, it has pressed boats into the service and taken other measures on time. In order to help the distressed people, six gruel centres were opened in the city, he said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Vaishaly, DHO Dr Ramakrishna Rao and others were present.
Encroachment of storm water drainages to be cleared: DC
The DC said that a team of officials were entrusted the responsibility of inspecting the encroachment of storm water drainages and those which were filled with silt in the district. As a priority, this team would inspect the present condition of major storm water drainages from Kottara Chowki to Phalguni river and from Jappu to Netravati river and submit a report within next three days. If the storm water drainages were encroached, the district administration would take action immediately, he said.
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Pilikula zoo to welcome penguins, Asiatic lion, yellow anacondas under animal exchange initiative
Mangaluru: Pilikula Biological Park is preparing to welcome a range of new species, including an Asiatic lion, penguins, and yellow anacondas, as part of an animal exchange program.
H. Jayaprakash Bhandary, the park's director, stated that the zoo will receive a male Asiatic lion, wolves, exotic birds, and gharial crocodiles from Nandankanan Biological Park in Odisha. In return, Pilikula will send dhole (wild dog), reticulated pythons, Asian palm civets, and Brahminy kites to Nandankanan.
Additionally, penguins native to South America will be brought from Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo in Mumbai, with Pilikula providing marsh crocodiles in exchange.
Yellow anacondas will be brought from the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in Chennai, in return for Indian cobras and other venomous snakes from Pilikula.
Exotic birds from S.V. Zoological Park (Tirupati zoo), Andhra Pradesh will be exchanged for Asian palm civets and other animals.
Bhandary noted that the penguins will require a special enclosure to provide a supportive environment, which will be created with the help of CSR funds or donors. He added that the introduction of penguins will lead to an increase in the number of visitors to the zoo.
