CM Siddaramaiah orders district in-charge ministers to inspect flood-hit areas in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday directed district in-charge ministers and in-charge secretaries to personally visit areas affected by monsoon rains and floods.
He also convened a meeting of Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Zilla Panchayat CEOs and district in-charge secretaries on May 30 and 31 to review the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
"In the wake of heavy rains across the state, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed district ministers and district in-charge secretaries to immediately visit flood-affected areas and supervise the relief work," his office said in a statement.
The Chief Minister gathered information from the officials about the rain-induced damage and directed them to take precautionary measures.
He has instructed district ministers and district in-charge secretaries to promptly visit the areas affected by heavy rains and flood, conducting a comprehensive review of the situation, it said.
According to officials, till May 26, a total of 45 houses were completely damaged and 1,385 homes partially damaged in the state due to rains. Out of them 99 per cent have been provided financial assistance.
As of May 26, there is a grant of Rs 97,351.95 lakhs in the district and taluk level PD (Personal Deposit) accounts for disaster management, they said.
Siddaramaiah also instructed the DCs and district in-charge secretaries to monitor the flood situation and expedite relief work.
The Chief Secretary to the government has been asked to convene a meeting of DCs, CEOs and district in-charge secretaries on May 30 and 31 to conduct a comprehensive review in this regard, the release said.
According to officials, 170 taluks in the state have been identified as flood/landslide prone, and 2,296 care or shelter centres have been identified as a precautionary measure.
They said that 201 places under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits have been identified as flood-prone areas.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
