Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Aug 16: "When the rivulet which flows by the side of our house flooded, my brothers rescued our father, mother and cattle. Later we were staying in a temple. From there we moved on to our relatives’ house, rented house and now we have again reached to our relatives’ house. Though it is one year since the flood, we have not got shelter. So we have decided to live in the house that is damaged in last year's flood. Instead of the compensation from the government, the flood once again may give us relief from our agony," says Sathish, a resident of Mittabagilu Kallolle of Beltangady taluk, whose house was badly damaged in the landslide and flood that occurred on August 9, 2019.

Floods in Beltangady in 2019 (file photo)

Nearly 263 houses of this area were damaged in the flood of 2019. In addition, several hectares of arecanut, coconut, plantain farms and paddy fields got destroyed in the flood. Bridges collapsed and vented dams were broken. Now some bridges are built again. The vented dam has to be reconstructed again.

"Silt has filled three acres of farmland owned by me. There is nothing left except stones and sand. Till now, we have not got a paisa of the said compensation," said Prashant Marla, a resident of Didupe-Malavanthige.

The flood victims say that the amount of Rs 20,000 to 40,000 given by the government is not enough even to remove the silt from the farmlands.