The NDRF team inspecting the landslide-prone areas in Kodagu on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In the wake of persistent and widespread rainfall across Kodagu district, Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja has declared a holiday for all anganwadi centres, primary and high schools, and pre-university colleges on Thursday as a precautionary measure.
The district has been witnessing heavy downpours over the past few days, with instances of rain-related damage reported from several locations. In the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, Kodagu recorded 60.92 mm of rainfall. Srimangala received 146 mm, while Shanthalli and Shanivarasanthe registered 160 mm and 112 mm respectively.
Meanwhile, Kiran Kumar, assistant commandant of the 10th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), visited the district on Wednesday to evaluate the readiness of the NDRF team already deployed in Kodagu.
The NDRF team inspecting the landslide-prone areas in Kodagu on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
During his visit, he held discussions with R.M. Ananya Vasudev, a district disaster management expert, and inspected areas vulnerable to landslides. He also issued directives to strengthen safety measures and ensure swift relief operations in case of emergencies.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / June 25th, 2025
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
The department had proposed for the release of Rs 8.38 crore as a drought relief fund to be distributed among the farmers of the district.
Image used for representational purposes only,(File photo | EPS)
Madikeri :
A total of 17,297 farmers across Kodagu have been distributed with the drought relief fund from the state. Sources confirmed that many other pending applications are still under scrutiny and will be disposed of shortly.
All five taluks in Kodagu were declared as drought-hit regions this year from the state and over 20,000 farmers from the district applied to avail compensation for the crop loss.
As per the applications received by the agriculture department, 7620.74 hectares of paddy farmland and 2170.36 hectares of maize farmland were affected by drought in total across all the taluks.
The department had proposed for the release of Rs 8.38 crore as a drought relief fund to be distributed among the farmers of the district.
However, applications of 17,297 farmers from the district have been approved so far in ten phases and they have been handed over the total drought relief fund of over Rs 2.83 crore.
Joint Director of the agricultural department, Somasundar confirmed that 17,297 farmers have received only part payment of the drought relief even as applications of 3,263 farmers are still under scrutiny and will be finalized shortly. While a few applications are pending due to technical errors, others are under verification process.
Over Rs 5.54 crore funds are still pending to be distributed to the farmers as per the memorandum submitted to the state from the department.
The Ponnampet taluk is the worst hit region in the district as over 3825 hectares of paddy land has been reportedly affected by drought. A total of 5155 farmers from the region applied for drought relief.
In Somwarpet taluk, 1161 hectares of paddy and 470 hectares of maize farmlands have been affected by drought even as over 7,000 farmers applied for the compensation.
1972 hectares of paddy field in Madikeri and 650 hectares in Virajpet were hit by drought even as 1700 hectares of maize farmland was hit by drought across Kushalnagar taluk.
DC Venkat Raja confirmed that Rs 2.83 crore funds have been so far released to farmers and this includes a minimum compensation amount of Rs 1,000 and a maximum compensation of Rs 2,000 to the affected farmers.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Prajna G R / May 29th, 2024
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