Nine dead, 3 missing as rains pound Karnataka
Bengaluru, Jul 24: Nine people have died and three were missing in Karnataka so far,with torrential rains battering several parts of coastal, malnad and north-interior region of the state, causing flood like situation and landslides, officials said on Saturday.
A total of 31,360 people have been evacuated from low lying areas, while 22,417 people are taking shelter in 237 relief camps that have been opened by the government.
According to data shared by the State Disaster Management Authority, 283 villages in 45 taluks have been lashed by rains, affecting a population of 36,498.
Among the deaths reported since July 22, four are from Uttara Kannada district, two from Belagavi and one each from Chikkamagaluru, Dharwad and Kodagu.
Landslides have occurred at seven locations in Uttara Kannada, four in Chikkamagaluru, three in Kodagu and one each in Shivamogga and Hassan districts.
Over 2,600 houses have been damaged, and 78 animals have died in rain-related incidents.
An estimated 58,961 hectares of agricultural crops and 1,962 hectares of horticulture crops have been damaged due to rains and floods, which has also damaged over 555 km of road, more than 3,500 electric poles and 342 transformers.
According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Belagavi, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Dharwad, Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts received widespread heavy to extremely heavy rains on Saturday.
Kudumallige of Tirthahalli taluk in Shivamooga received the highest of 355 mm rainfall.
In a single day on Saturday, 59 TMC of cumulative inflow was received in 13 major reservoirs of the state.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who spoke to Deputy Commissioners of affected districts this morning, directed in-charge Ministers to stay put in their respective districts and monitor the relief and rescue operations there.
He will be travelling to rain and flood affected border district of Belagavi in north Karnataka on Sunday, to assess the situation there.
Seven National Disaster Response Force and 15 SDRF teams, along with fire and emergency services, a navy helicopter and coastguard personnel have been deployed for relief and rescue works.
Gram Panchayat's disaster management teams are also engaged in the work, State Disaster Management Authority sources said.
According to sources, 100 people were rescued in Sankeshwar town of Belagavi, 15 people at Kumta in Uttara Kannada, four people and some animals in Soraba taluk of Shivamogga , among others.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka, who visited affected areas in Hassan district, said Deputy Commissioners have been directed to provide compensation under NDRF funds.
A sum of Rs 5 lakh will be paid as compensation to those who lost their houses and an initial payment of Rs 10,000 will be provided as a temporary relief,he said.
Officials have been instructed not to take leave and attend to people's needs and safety.
With several dams in the state and neighbouring Maharashtra reaching the brim, water is being released into the rivers, inundating low-lying and river banks areas.
Scattered to widespread and light to moderate rains are likely at isolated places and heavy rains are likely over coastal and adjoining parts of malnad and Belagavi districts till August 3, officials said.
Isolated to scattered and moderate rains are likely in remaining parts of the state.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
