Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Sep 1: The district has suffered a loss of Rs 234.58 crore due to damage to houses, roads, transformers, and other infrastructure during the monsoon season from June 1 to August 29. However, the state government has yet to release any funds for relief efforts. Currently, an emergency fund of Rs 16 crore from the DC/Tahsildar PD account is being utilized for immediate relief work.
In the district's seven taluks, 38 houses were completely damaged, and 796 houses sustained partial damages. Although a comprehensive report has been submitted to the state government through local panchayats and tahsildars, no compensation has been released yet.
Three people have lost their lives due to landslides and lightning strikes, with each affected family receiving a compensation of Rs 5 lac. Additionally, five cattle were killed in the monsoon fury, and Rs 1.55 lac has been distributed as compensation for the livestock loss.
The district has seen 1,457.36 km of road damage, including state highways, city roads, district main roads, and rural roads, resulting in a loss of Rs 171.62 crore. Furthermore, 132 vented dams and roadside drains have been damaged, causing a loss of Rs 53.25 crore. Damage to 4,125 electricity poles, two transformers, and 72.35 km of electric cable lines has amounted to a loss of Rs 7 crore. Additionally, 116 buildings, including primary schools, government structures, community health centres, primary healthcare centres, and Anganwadis, have been damaged, with an estimated loss of Rs 2.16 crore.
An official stated, “We have submitted a complete report to the government regarding the rain damage and requested grants. We are also sending daily damage reports to the government.”
The paddy crop has been severely affected across all taluks, with 155 hectares affected in Kundapur, 100 hectares in Byndoor, 171 hectares in Brahmavar, 47 hectares in Udupi, 10 hectares in Karkala, 18 hectares in Kaup, and 14 hectares in Hebri. In total, 518.74 hectares of paddy fields have been impacted. Additionally, 145 hectares of horticultural crops have also been affected due to the rains.
DC Dr Vidyakumari said, “An estimated Rs 234 crore in rain damage has been reported in the district. We have submitted a comprehensive report to the state government and requested a grant, but no relief funds have been received so far. For urgent needs, the PD fund is being used as per the rules.”