Wayanad landslides: K'taka providing all necessary cooperation for rescue and relief: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Jul 30: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that all necessary cooperation is being provided by the state government for rescue and relief operations in neighbouring Kerala's Wayanad, which has been devastated by landslides.
The chief minister has deputed two senior IAS officers to coordinate with Kerala state authorities in these operations.
The trail of destruction and despair left behind by the landslides in Wayanad has killed at least 93 people and injured 128.
The chief minister, currently on a tour in New Delhi, issued a press statement saying that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team in Bengaluru and teams of the Madras Engineer Group (MEG) of the Army have been sent to assist in the rescue and relief efforts in Wayanad.
One officer from MEG, along with two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and 70 personnel of various ranks, have already departed for Wayanad in 15 vehicles carrying rescue and relief supplies, he said, additionally, two more officers, four JCOs, and 100 army personnel equipped with necessary equipment will depart in 40 vehicles.
ALSO READ: CM Siddaramaiah orders precautions for floods, landslides amid heavy rains
To facilitate swift movement of these teams and relief material transport vehicles to Wayanad, instructions have been issued to allow unrestricted passage through the Green Corridor at the Bandipur Check Post, he added.
Further stating that the Government of Karnataka is in constant touch with the disaster management authorities of the Government of Kerala and is providing necessary assistance, the CM said, "Moreover, Deputy Commissioners of border districts Mysuru and Chamarajanagar are also extending appropriate support."
Medical aid, hospital facilities, and buses to transport the injured are ready and positioned in H D Kote, he said. The Chamarajanagar district administration has initiated a helpline to assist citizens who frequently travel to Wayanad from the district border.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives in landslides in Wayanad, Siddaramaiah earlier in the day said Karnataka is committed to providing all possible help to the neighbouring state.
"Deeply saddened by the catastrophic floods in Wayanad. My heart goes out to the affected families. Karnataka is committed to providing all possible help to Kerala in this challenging time. Let's stand united and strong," Siddaramaiah said in a post on 'X'.
The chief minister himself is closely monitoring the situation and has directed officials to provide all possible support to the rescue and relief operations in Wayanad, the statement from his office said.
Further, for the coordination of rescue and relief efforts in Wayanad, senior IAS officers P C Jaffer and Dilish Sasi have been deputed, it said.
The chief minister also said that preliminary reports of Kannadigas being stranded in Wayanad have been received, and assured that every effort will be made to rescue them.
He also shared the Chamarajanagar DC office helpline numbers: 08226-223163, 08226-223161, 08226-223160, and WhatsApp number: 97409 42901.
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Nearly 700 km of Karnataka rivers polluted; cities, towns depend on contaminated water
Shivamogga: A total of 693.75 of river stretches across Karnataka are polluted, and water from several of these rivers is being supplied to towns and cities, the State government informed the Legislative Assembly.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Monday, replying to an unstarred question by Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra during the winter session in Belagavi, Forest, Environment and Biodiversity Minister Eshwar Khandre said rivers are classified into five categories, P1 to P5, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, with P1 being the most polluted.
He reportedly said untreated domestic wastewater from urban and rural areas is the main reason for river pollution. Arkavati, Lakshana Teertha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shimsha, Bheema and Netravati are the polluted rivers and so far, 112 polluted drainages along these rivers have been identified.
Khandre explained that rivers are classified into five pollution categories P1 to P5. The Arkavati River has been placed in the P1 category, while no rivers fall under P2 and P3. Tungabhadra, Bhadra and Shimsha are categorised under P4, and eight other rivers fall under P5.
Khandre allegedly said domestic wastewater from municipalities, towns and villages along riverbeds is being discharged into at least 17 rivers, identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the primary cause of river pollution.
According to the report, the minister said drinking water is being supplied from polluted rivers in districts such as Mandya, Ramanagara, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. In parts of Uttara Kannada, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Bagalkot, local bodies are also drawing water from polluted river sources.
In 2022-23, CPCB identified South Pinakini, Aghanashini, Sharavathi and Gangavali rivers too as polluted. But wrote to CPCB, stating that these rivers are not polluted and sought their removal from the list. An action plan is being prepared for the South Pinakini River, he said.
On remedial measures, Khandre reportedly said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is setting up sewage treatment plants as per the directions of National Green Tribunal.
As per the report, under 12 river rejuvenation plans, the state generates 817.31 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. While 41 STPs with a capacity of 614.1 MLD are operational, 203.21 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
Work is underway to establish 19 STPs with a capacity of 248.91 MLD, while 39 more STPs with a combined capacity of 357.92 MLD are in the planning stage. Progress is being monitored and reported regularly to the NGT and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The minister reportedly said the state government gave its approval for underground drainage works worth Rs 535.56 crore in 2021 for 24 cities/towns besides Rs 523.80 crore for nine UGD projects.
