4 dead in Karnataka due to heavy rain
Bengaluru, Aug 16 : Four people have died due to the heavy rain lashing the coastal and south interior districts of Karnataka over the past few days, an official said on Thursday.
"Two persons in Kodagu district, which has been badly affected by flood and landslides due to heavy rains, and one person each in Shivamogga and Udupi districts have died owing to the rains," a statement from Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's Office said.
Details of the deceased were, however, not mentioned.
The coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada, and the south interior districts of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Shivamogga have been witnessing heavy rainfall leading to flooding and landslides.
"The state will release Rs 200 crore fund to take up relief measures in the rain-hit districts," the statement added.
So far, 29 relief camps have been opened across Kodagu, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Hassan and Davanagere districts by the officials, housing 1,755 people rescued from flood-hit towns and villages.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations in the severely affected regions of Kodagu, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Mysuru.
With several people being stranded due to rain and floods, the southern state has sought the Indian Army's help in rescue operations.
"Though helicopters were ready for rescue operations, they could not take off due to rough weather," the statement added.
Over the last 24 hours, parts of Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada district received extremely heavy rain measuring over 24 cm, according to a weather advisory from the Bengaluru division of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The coastal district of Udupi received heavy rain upto 11 cm, Uttara Kannada 17 cm, south interior districts of Shivamogga 20 cm and Chikkamagaluru 6 cm.
The districts in the northern part of the state, which have been facing a rainfall deficit, have also received light to moderate rainfall.
Due to the heavy rain, landslides were reported since early this week in several parts of the state, particularly on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route, leading to several state-run buse services and trains suspending services on affected routes.
The Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority has warned the coastal and south interior districts to brace for heavy rain in the next four days.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
