Ankola: No negligence or delay in rescue operation, CM asserts after visiting landslide-hit area
Ankola (Karnataka), Jul 21: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday inspected the rescue operations on National Highway 66 near Shirur here where a massive landslide took place last week, and instructed officials and the rescue teams to hasten the work, as heavy rains are pounding the region.
Asserting that there has been no negligence or delay by his government in conducting the rescue, he said military personnel have joined the efforts. He said he had also ordered that the families of those who died in the landslide be given Rs 5 lakh compensation.
"Due to a land slide on NH 66 on July 16, about 10 people were missing. Out of them, seven bodies have been recovered, three are still missing, and rescue operations are going on. Forty four personnel from SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and 24 from NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) are a part of the rescue operation," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the landslide spot amid heavy rains, he said 44 personnel from the military have also joined today, while the Navy has been assisting in the operations from day one.
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"Vehicles, including an empty gas tanker and a filled one (controlled release of gas has been done now) were washed away in the landslide. A tea shop was there at the spot and five members of the family (who ran it) have died in the incident... I have asked the district administration and the district in-charge minister to swiftly complete the rescue operations, as there are heavy rains," he said.
He said he was unable to visit the spot earlier as the assembly is in session.
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Uttara Kannada District In-charge Minister Mankal S Vaidya, legislators from the district and senior officials, among others, were present during the chief minister's visit and inspection.
Under the supervision of Vaidya, the district administration is taking all the necessary measures, the CM said. The compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each deceased has been given, Siddaramaiah added.
"In case more bodies are recovered, the families will also be given Rs 5 lakh compensation," he said.
Responding to a question on searching for bodies in the nearby river and the river bed areas, Siddaramaiah said that the Army and Navy have been requested to scan the river.
Asked whether unscientific road work may have caused the landslide, he said the work was done done by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). "After the rescue operation is completed, we will look into the matter and if anyone is wrong action will be taken against them....I will also speak to the Union Road Transport Minister to set right the road work and take action against those responsible."
To a question about a lorry driver from Kerala missing after his truck was caught in the massive landslide and officials and media from that state reportedly accusing the Karnataka government of taking too long for the rescue work, Siddaramaiah said his government has not caused any delay.
"Everything is going on at a swift pace. A person named Arjun from Kerala is said to be missing. ...officials and media from Kerala might have come. But without any neglect or delay, we are doing all the work at a fast pace," he said.
Reporters pointed out to the CM that a report was submitted to the government a year ago about possible landslides at 34 other spots, including where it has now taken place, and asked why no action was taken. The CM said in the one year since his government came to power, there were no rains due to drought last year and no such landslides happened earlier.
"We will take necessary action at such spots," he said.
Revenue Minister Gowda clarified that the rescue operation will not continue during night time.
Siddaramaiah responded to a question, saying he doesn't want to politicise the matter and acknowledged that central teams such as NDRF, SDRF and Navy are working together.
"I don't want to indulge in any blame game or mudslinging. People have died. I pray to the almighty to give strength to their families. Our compensation will not bring the dead back to life. This is an incident that has occurred naturally. We will try to rescue anyone alive; if not at least get their dead bodies back whether it is on land or from the river," he said.
Alternative arrangements to house affected villagers in nearby areas will also be made, he added.
ಉತ್ತರ ಕನ್ನಡ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ಅಂಕೋಲಾ ತಾಲೂಕಿನ ಶಿರೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಗುಡ್ಡ ಕುಸಿದು ಹಲವರು ಸಾವಿಗೀಡಾದ ಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ಇಂದು ಭೇಟಿನೀಡಿ, ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಕಾರ್ಯದ ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆ ನಡೆಸಿದೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 21, 2024
ಮಣ್ಣಿನಡಿ ಮುಚ್ಚಿ ಹೋಗಿರುವ ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಎಡಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಪಾಯಕಾರಿ ಗುಡ್ಡವಿದೆ. ಬಲ ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೋರ್ಗರೆದು ಹರಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕಾಳಿ ನದಿ ಇದೆ. ಜೊತೆಗೆ ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ಸುರಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ… pic.twitter.com/qvFjF8vWK6
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Stampede at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj leaves many injured, casualties feared: Reports
Prayagraj: A stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj has left many injured, with reports suggesting casualties as well. The incident took place in the early hours of Wednesday at the Sangam, where lakhs of devotees had gathered for a ritual dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant bathing days of the Kumbh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath to assess the situation. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed to manage the massive crowds and restore order.
According to a social media content creator who witnessed the incident, the stampede occurred around 2:30 am as devotees reached the Sangam banks. The confusion arose when people carrying heavy luggage on their heads struggled to find an exit route after their ritual bath. Many tripped over iron dustbins that were not visible in the darkness, leading to a chain reaction of people falling.
"I managed to stand up and help my parents and another woman who were on the ground. Soon, panic spread as some youngsters in the crowd began pushing, triggering the stampede," the eyewitness said.
Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya has urged devotees not to insist on bathing only at the Sangam Ghat due to the heavy crowd. Akhada Parishad General Secretary Mahant Hari Giri also appealed to people to take a dip in the Ganga at safer locations and return to their camps to avoid further chaos.
Authorities have taken steps to restore order, including clearing access routes for akhadas and deploying security personnel at key points. Meanwhile, some akhadas have postponed their scheduled snan due to the incident.
The Mahakumbh, which began on 13 January, has reportedly already witnessed over 15 crore pilgrims taking a holy dip, with more than 4.8 crore participating on Tuesday alone. The festival is set to conclude on 26 February.
Special Executive Officer of the Kumbh Mela Authority, Akanksha Rana, downplayed the severity of the incident, stating, "A stampede-like situation occurred after a barrier broke at Sangam Nose. Some people sustained injuries, but no one is in serious condition."
