Rain fury claims 132 lives in Karnataka

Torrential rain that battered various parts of Karnataka have claimed 132 lives in the past six days even as the state government intensified relief and rescue operations in 15 rain-hit districts.

Briefing reporters, State Home Minister V S Acharya said the highest number of 28 deaths were registered in Bijapur followed by Raichur (19) and Koppal (18).

Bagalkote and Gulbarga recorded 13 deaths each, Davanagere (nine), Uttarakand (five), Gadag (seven), Bellary (nine), Bidar (four) and Belgaum (seven) from Sept 28 to Oct3, he said.

Fifteen districts have been impacted in varying degrees by the monsoon fury, he said, adding, the unprecedented rain in northern Karnataka has damaged 1,03,291 houses.

Rescue operations were on in full swing in Kadawada village in Uttara Kannada district where a major landslide buried eight houses. According to eyewitnesses, around 11-21 people were feared trapped.

Eight helicopters and 38 boats have been engaged for rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

The National Disaster Response Team which arrived from Pune, has been pressed into service. Another team from Arakonam is expected to arrive and assist in the operations.

Rains had abated to some extent except in coastal parts and Bellary district, he said.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had yesterday sanctioned Rs 100 crore for relief and rescue operations.

The Indian Air Force evacuated 12 persons caught in neck-deep water in Bellary district while 32 marooned people were rescued from the temple town of Mantralaya in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district bordering Raichur in Karnataka.

Rail and rail transport were affected in the rain-hit districts.

Meanwhile, IAF helicopters continued to drop food packets in flood-hit areas, and rescue those stranded in water-logged regions.