Karnataka Banks on People's Generosity to Rebuild Flood-hit

Bangalore, Oct 6 (IANS) The Karnataka government is appealing to people, NGOs, religious and educational institutions and corporates to donate liberally to help it rehabilitate the flood-ravaged in the state's northern districts.

Chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who has been camping in the worst-affected northern districts for the last three days, assessing the damage and supervising relief efforts, said Tuesday damage to property was Rs.20,000 crore.

Describing the three days of rain and flash floods that started Sep 30 as the worst in 100 years, he said: "It has wreaked havoc in 18 districts." The state has 29 districts.

The flood has killed over 190 people, partially or fully damaged around 250,000 houses, destroyed crops in around 25 lakh (2.5 million) hectares, damaged over 10,000 km length of roads, washed away several small bridges, torn into irrigation canal walls and breached lake and tank bunds, according to official detail given by various state agencies and ministers.

"NGOs, religious and educational institutions and private firms are coming forward to help in the rehabilitation of the people and the area," H.V. Parashwanath told IANS.

Yeddyurappa has appealed to all religious and educational institutions, software companies, NGOs and the public to generously help in the massive task of rehabilitation of the people and repair to the infrastructure facilities like roads and bridges.

He is undertaking a 'padayatra' (walk) in Bangalore Wednesday and Thursday to raise funds.

Spokespersons for major IT firms like Infosys and Wipro said their top executives were discussing how best the company and the staff can contribute in rehabilitating the affected people.

The Art of Living Foundation of spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar is also chipping in. It may construct 5,000 houses, according to Yedduyrappa.

Karnataka has several major religious institutions, most of which caste-based. They run educational institutions - from primary schools to medical and engineering colleges. Many of them are believed to be cash-rich and are expected to either build houses on their own or donate money.

Parashwanath said the relief operations were laying great stress on sanitation aspect as there was fear of epidemics, particularly Cholera in the flood-ravaged districts.

"Over 550,000 people have taken shelter in 1,558 relief camps. Another half-a-million are managing on their own - moving to safer places or staying with relatives in different places," he said.

Parashwanath said over two million food packets have also been distributed so far.

He acknowledged that there has been delay in reaching relief in some areas. That was mainly because of difficulties in reaching those areas due to either poor connectivity or the places were inundated.

This problem has been solved as 200 members of the National Disaster Relief agency and another 200 members of the Madras Engineering Group of Indian Army were using around 50 boats to provide relief material to the people.