Fund-raising continues as flood toll mounts

The Karnataka government today continued its efforts to raise funds in providing succour to those devastated

by the unprecedented deluge and undertaking relief operations in districts as the rains abated.

At least 3,58,755 houses were damaged in the rains which claimed 222 lives with the maximum of 33 fatalities reported from Bagalkot district. Officials said 4,292 villages were affected in the deluge.

Thirty-two deaths each have been reported in Raichur and Bijapur, 23 each in Gulbarga and Karwar, 21 in Koppal, 19 in Bellary, 12 each in Belgaum and Gadag, four in Davangere. Three deaths have been reported in Dharwad and three in Bidar, two each in Chikballapura and Chitradurga and one in Dakshina Kannada.

Over 719,000 people have been accommodated in 1,822 relief camps set up across the state.

The state government, which has sought Rs 10,000 crore central aid, has raised Rs 500 crore through its fund-raising efforts with chief minister B S Yeddyurappa along with his ministerial colleagues and legislators going on padayatra pleading with people to help those devastated by the rains.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was expected to undertake an aerial survey of rain-hit districts in the state tomorrow, has postponed his visit by a day, official sources said.