Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Sept 27: The south-west monsoon left a trail of destruction across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts between June and August, claiming eight lives, killing four cattle and causing extensive damage to homes, roads, power infrastructure and horticultural crops.
The damage to the electricity distribution network operated by MESCOM has been particularly severe, with 5,077 electricity poles and 24 transformers brought down by strong winds and heavy rain. The overall infrastructure damage is estimated to run into crores of rupees.
A total of 468 houses were damaged in the two districts, while extensive stretches of roads and electricity lines were also affected. Officials said compensation remains to be distributed in around 10 to 15 cases, with the respective district administrations completing the necessary procedures.
The rain and winds damaged 1,500.66 km of roads connecting rural and urban areas across the two districts. As many as 41 bridges and culverts were also damaged or weakened.
The weather-related destruction also hit the horticulture sector, with crops spread across 30.96 hectares reported to have been damaged.
Under the Central Government's relief provisions, Rs 6,000 will be provided as compensation for partially damaged houses, while families whose houses have been completely damaged will receive Rs 1.20 lac. The state government will assess the extent of damage and fix additional compensation accordingly.
In Udupi district, compensation has already been distributed in all reported cases of property damage, officials said.
Reports concerning the deaths caused by the rain and strong winds have been sent for verification, following which compensation will be distributed at the earliest, said additional deputy commissioner Abid Gaddiyal.
Of the eight people who died in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, one was from another State. The district administration is awaiting the relevant report from the concerned State before processing the compensation in that case, Gaddiyal said.