Minister in charge of Kodagu N.S. Boseraju inspecting a damaged house during his tour of rain-affected areas in the district on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Minister in charge of Kodagu N.S. Boseraju on Thursday directed the district administration to submit a comprehensive report on rain-related damages in the Karnataka district. He said the matter would be taken up at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for July 2, where necessary funds will be sanctioned based on the report.
Speaking to reporters at Harangi after inspecting rain-hit areas, Mr. Boseraju said that Kodagu had been under red alert for several days due to incessant rains that caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, and houses. “Fortunately, there has been no loss of life, thanks to timely precautionary measures,” he said.
The Minister stressed that while rainfall in Kodagu is vital for southern Karnataka, the current downpour has led to severe local destruction. “In the upcoming Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting, we will assess the extent of damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure for carrying out immediate relief measures and planning permanent solutions,” he added.
He noted that earlier, the release of relief funds required specific criteria to be met. Now, however, funds will be disbursed based on the actual scale of damage.
“Officers have been directed to submit the report at the earliest. Once received, it will be discussed with the Chief Minister, the Revenue Minister, and departmental secretaries to facilitate timely fund allocation.”
Referring to the closure of the Ramaswamy Kanive hanging bridge, which connects Kushalnagar in Kodagu with Periyapatna in Mysuru, Mr. Boseraju said steps would be taken to reopen the bridge in coordination with K. Venkatesh, Periyapatna MLA and Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture.
N.S. Boseraju inspecting the hanging bridge near Kushalnagar in Kodagu on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Earlier in the day, the Minister, accompanied by Mantar Gowda, MLA, visited several rain-affected locations. He inspected the flow of the Cauvery river and assessed damage to the hanging bridge at Kushalnagar, and assessed another bridge near Rangasamudra., and visited a damaged house belonging to a local resident Chandrashekhar.
He said the monsoon had arrived unusually early — in late May — this year, resulting in considerable damage across the district. With more rain expected over the next two months, he directed officials to take adequate precautionary measures in flood-prone areas.
Mr. Boseraju also assured that the district administration has sufficient funds in its Personal Deposits account to manage disaster response, and that compensation has already been distributed to those whose houses were damaged. Permanent reconstruction works will begin after the monsoon subsides, he said.
A report on the total rain damage will be submitted to the Chief Minister, along with a request for additional funds, he added.
Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, and other officials were present during the visit.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / June 26th, 2025
