Rains subside in Kodagu, rehabilitation work gains speed

With rains subsiding, relief and rehabilitation work gained momentum today inthe flood and landslips ravaged Kodagu district ofKarnataka, bordering Kerala.

With operations to rescue those stranded by and large completed, officials said thedistrict administration was now focusing on providing reliefand rehabilitation to those at relief camps, clearingblocked roads and restoring power.

The torrential rains that lashed the district lastweek left a huge trail of destruction, claiming atleast 12 lives and rendering thousands homeless.

With all major roads in Kodagu blocked, amassive rescue operation had been underway for the last coupleof days to rescue those stranded in isolated and hillyterrain.

As of yesterday, over 4,320 people were rescuedand brought to relief centres.

District in-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh said, "tillnow efforts were on to rescue stranded people safely. Now the work will have to begin on rebuilding their lives."