Madikeri, August 25: Hundreds of rain-flood, landslides victims from villages around Jodupala in Madikeri taluk in Kodagu district are still spending days at various rescue camps. The victims of these villages have been housed in the rescue camps at Tekkil Community Hall, Sampaje and Devarakolli Government Schools in Sullia Taluk. 760 members of 198 families have been housed at Tekkil Community Hall and Sampaje camp. While some of them have gone to their relatives' homes, many people of Jodupala and Yeradane Monnangeri village are still living in camps as these are the worst affected areas.

Jodupala and Yeradane Monnangeri have lost their contact with other places because there have been severe damages. Roads connecting villages have entirely vanished. Moreover, most villagers' houses and lands are damaged. The Officials have given the green signal for the people to shift to their houses after verifying the situation of their homes, except in these two villages. However, a team of senior officials and experts will inspect Jodupala and Yerdane Monnangeri villages. People will be allowed to stay there, only after the team confirms that there is no risk to reside in these villages, a senior official said.

Despite all the arrangements in the camps, the Jodupala and Yerdane Monnangeri villagers who have lost their homes and lands are worried about their livelihood. The rescue camps cannot last longer. Villagers do not have their houses to live in if even they want to go to their villages. Moreover, there is no road for them to reach their place. “Our life is intact. We do not know what action the government will take to settle us. Organizations, politicians, and officials are coming and assuring us. We have stayed here for eight days,” Krishnappa of Jodupala village lamented.

Three camps in Sullia Taluk have been opened for the flood victims of Jodupala and surrounding villages in Madikeri taluk. Doctors have been assigned to serve 24 hours a day. The necessary drugs are available. All types of precautionary measures have been taken to prevent infectious diseases. Hot water is being provided to all the victims. Hot water is being provided even for bathing also.

- Dr. Subrahmanya, Sullia taluk medical officer

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Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to consultant Chetan Patil arrested in connection with the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj''s statue at Rajkot fort in Malvan in August.

A 35-foot statue of the iconic Maratha warrior king collapsed in Sindhudurg district on August 26, nearly nine months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled it on Navy Day.

Patil was arrested on August 30 from Kolhapur.

A single bench of Justice A S Kilor on Thursday held that no case was made out to implicate Patil in the case as he had not been appointed as the structural designer of the statue.

The bench further said Patil had only submitted a structural stability report of the pedestal of the statue and the pedestal was intact even after the collapse.

Another accused, Jaydeep Apte, who was the sculptor and contractor, was also arrested in the case. The HC said it would hear his bail plea on November 25.

The Sindhudurg police had registered an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for negligence and other offences last month against Apte and Patil for the statue's collapse.

Patil and Apte moved HC seeking bail after a sessions court rejected their pleas.