From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Aug 9: Allaying fears over media reports in a section of the press regarding the flooding of Kolhapur and Sangli districts due to the backwaters of Almatti and Narayanpur dams in Karnataka, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has clarified that there was no problems to the people of the neighbouring Maharashtra even if the two dams were filled to their maximum capacity.
He addressed the media after visiting the flood affected areas in the Chikkodi circuit house on Thursday.
Yediyurappa pointed out that Sangli and Kolhapur districts were too far away from Almatti and Narayanapur dams.
While the State can store up to 123 tmcft of warer in the Almatti dam, it presently had just 85 tmcft. The Narayanpur dam presently had a storage of barely 18 tmcft against its full capacity of 33 tmcft. Therefore, the reports of a possible flooding in the two districts of neighbouring Maharashtra were totally baseless as the backwaters from the two dams in Karnataka would not reach them, he asserted.
The Chief Minister mentioned that he has already discussed with his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Padnavis thrice and clarified that he was compelled to issue the clarification in view of the reports published in a section of the press, which were aimed at creating panic, at a time when Karnataka was focused on rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the affected people in the districts of Northern Karnataka.
At the same time, he promised to discuss with Padnavis about the problems that may arise due to heavy releases of water from the dams in Maharashtra. "We need to work in cooperation so as to minimize the problems to the people of both States,’’ he said offering to hold discussions with the Maharashtra Chief Minister.
Yediyurappa said the total extent of loss to property and lives besides standing crops was estimated to be Rs 5,000 crore as of now. The situation may worsen in the days to come as complete details become available. It is estimated that at least 30,000 houses will have to be constructed to rehabilitate the people, who lost their houses, he said.
The Chief Minister said the State Government will undertake a complete survey of the total damages within a week to provide suitable compensation to the victims based on the report of the survey team.
Pointing out that Sudha Murthy of the Infosys Foundation has already donated Rs 10 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Yediyurapa appealed to donors and well-wishers to come forward to extend a helping hand.
Warmly complimenting Sudha Murthy’s gesture, he recalled that donors had come forward to contribute Rs 1,500 crore when the State faced a similar flood havoc in 2005.
The Chief Minister expressed his happiness at the safe rescue of Kalappa-Ratnavva couple waiting for rescue from floods for about 40 hours on the roof of house in Kabalapur village of Belagavi taluk.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had directed dispatch of two helicopters from Central forces, while Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also deployed boats and helicopters from the Army to help in the rescue of the victims and also supply food as well as other essential items in inaccessible places.
Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi, who hails from the region, MPs Annasaheb Jolle and Dr Prabhakar Kore as well as MLAs Ganesh Hukkerei, Umesh V Katti, Sashikala Jolle, P Rajeev, Duryodhan Ihole and MLCs Mahantesh Kavatagimatt, Hanumanth Nirani and other local leaders accompanied the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister’s Secretary M Lakshminarayana and Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Dr S B Bommanahalli and other officials from the Water Resources Department accompanied Yediyurappa.