From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Aug 4: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who was sworn in on last Friday, has been keeping himself busy in holding meetings with officials on various issues besides meeting dignitaries, delegations and also hearing public grievances.
After holding a meeting with all deputy commissioners of the districts and chief executive officers of zilla panchayats and other senior officials, Yediyurappa held a video conference with the deputy ommissioners of the five districts in north Karnataka facing grave floods due to incessant heavy downpour in the region and also neighbouring Maharashtra state.
He directed the deputy commissioners of Belagavi, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Yadagiri and Raichuru districts, which were facing a severe problem. To take up rescure and relief measures on a war footing.
Many villages have been submerged and flood has caused heavy losses to agriculture crops and other properties and houses. People and cattle are stranded.
In an unfortunate incident, Shivananda Shankara Naik, a youth from Ankalagi village of Gokak taluk, was washed away in floods. Several bridge cum barrages were submerged.
District Administrations need to take up rescue and relief operations in war-footing and ensure the safety of the lives of human and cattle. Though rescue operations have begun, it must be accelerated now.
Many villages have lost road connectivity and converted to islands. People and cattle must be shifted from such places immediately.
As an immediate relief measure, the Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioners to take immediate steps to provide food, clothing, blankets and other amenities to the victims and fodder must be provided for cattle. Rescue operations must gain full swing with the help of NDRF, SDRF, Military and other forces.
As there is a forecast of heavy rains in these flood affected districts necessary precautionary measures also must be taken.
The Chief Minister appreciated the rescue and relief measures taken by Belagavi and Raichuru District administrations and directed to provide appropriate rehabilitation.
Currently 3 teams from NDRF are involved in rescue operations in Belagavi and Raichur District and the Deputy Commissioners were directed to get more teams deployed if required. Personnel from Fire services, Police, Revenue and other departments were directed to take part in relief works day and night.
The officials also told to ensure good food, clean drinking water, milk and other basic facilities at temporary shelters to the victims.
As heavy damage is caused in the downstream of Krishna river due to sudden release of water from several dams of Maharashtra, officers were directed to take precautionary measures.
Officers were told to keep in touch with authorities in Maharashtra regarding release of water from dams and alert the villagers alongside Krishna river beforehand. Saving human and cattle lives is the priority of the Government and rehabilitation works must be given importance,’’ he said.
The Chief Minister promised to conduct an aerial survey of the flood affected districts and review the situation. There is no dearth of grants for relief work. Government is prepared to provide additional grants, if required.
Chief Secretary T M Vijayabhaskar, Chief Minister’s Advisor M Lakshminarayana, Additional Chief Secretary P Ravikumar abd Secretary Shivayogi C Kalasad and Revenue Department Principal Secretary Anil Kumar as well as NDRF officials were present during the video conference held at the Chief Minister’s Home Office of Krishna in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, he also held a meeting on the State’s Tourism and Cultural development.