Rs. 2 lakh to those who lost homes, Rs 5 lakh for families of deceased: Chief Minister Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, August 18: Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has stated that more than 1,000 personnel, including NDRF, have indulged in rescue operations in the Kodagu district where continuous rainfall, floods, and rockslides have worsened the normal life.
Speaking after receiving the updates about the situation, rescue and relief operations from the flood-affected districts; he said that 3,500 people had been rescued so far.
A team led by Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner has so far rescued 347 people who were trapped at Jodupala on Friday evening. The rescue operation is on in Kodagu, he added.
Relocated: 31 gruel centers have been established for victims. Furthermore, 2,250 people have been sheltered, and if necessary, more gruel centers will be opened. Officials from the revenue department who have been assigned to the Kodagu from other districts have already reached, he said.
Kerosene, cooking gas cylinders and petrol will soon be arranged for the citizens there. A video conference regarding this has already been held with the deputy commissioner. Besides, the banks have been asked to store enough cash in all the ATMs in the area.
It has been instructed to provide ten medical and nursing staff to Kodagu district. Arrangements for infant feeding have also been made. There are reports of many people including a pregnant woman trapped in the village of Mukkodlu in the district, and the army has already been sent to protect them.
As many as 50 JCBs will be used to repair the roads and felicitate the rescue operations temporarily. Geologists and technical experts are deployed as the Mangaluru-Mysuru National Highway -275 has been cracked.
Aid: Over 800 houses in the district are destroyed and the records of the victims' are lost. Arrangements are being made to get copies of their documents immediately. It has been instructed to give Rs. 2 lakh to those who lost homes, and Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased; The Chief Minister informed.
A committee comprising senior officials, headed by the chief secretary, has been asked to take action not to confront any financial crisis for relief and rescue operations.
Aid for crop loss: The outflow of the reservoirs has increased due to which crops have been lost in many parts of Kodagu, Shimoga, Dakshina Kannada, Mysuru and Hassan districts. The district administration has been instructed to submit a report regarding the crop loss within three days. After reviewing that report, action will be taken on the distribution of aid," he said.
“To re-provide the lost networking systems, instructions have been given to immediately repair the mobile towers that have fallen out because of the rain-flood situation. Deployment of additional staff from other districts has been instructed to provide electrical connection in rural areas. As many as 153 people have been killed, and 11,427 houses are damaged in the state since April to this day. 723 animals have died. In Kodagu district, at least six people have been killed, and more than 800 houses have been collapsed.”
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Zebra population at Bannerghatta Biological Park increases to 10
Bengaluru (PTI): Bannerghatta Biological Park on Monday announced that the total number of zebras in the zoo has steadily increased to 10 with the addition of two foals.
Zebra Kokila, aged two-and-a-half years, gave birth to a foal on January 17, 2026, and Zebra Kaveri, aged 12 years, gave birth to a foal on January 28, 2026, they said.
In a statement, Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) said both the foals were identified as females.
"The newborns are housed along with the other zebras and are under constant observation by the veterinary team and animal keepers," it said.
With the addition of the foals, the total number of zebras in the zoo has steadily increased to 10.
Officials said that zebras have a gestation period of 12 to 13 months and the foals have brown stripes which will eventually become black.
Visitors can get a glimpse of the newborns during their visit, they added.
