As rains continue to gradually recede over Kodagu district in Karnataka after causing massive damage to roads and houses, help is finally reaching flood-ravaged people who have been marooned for two-three days. However, after a week of lesser rainfall, heavy rains have started in Madikeri yet again.
Due to days of heavy rainfall, multiple landslides have swept off entire villages, and in some places, roads have caved in due to water seepage in the district. Small streams have turned into rapids. All these have not only inconvenienced people but also claimed at least six lives since Thursday and some people are feared missing.
The army&NDRF are continuing the rescue operation. People stranded around Makkandoor are being rescued.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 19, 2018
Food arranged for 31relief shelters. As per Kodagu DC's briefing, Milk Producers Union hs provided milk, rice,dal,pulses&PWD minister HD Revanna is overseeing relief measures pic.twitter.com/NelQ5ThrdK
The Chief Minister will continue the aerial survey in the rain affected areas of Kodagu. Weather permitting, he will land at the Periyapattana helipad and oversee relief and rescue operations.#KarnatakaRains#KodaguFloods pic.twitter.com/MRiyqmpLeb
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 19, 2018
At the end of rescue operation on Saturday night, a quick response team of civil defence along with eight Navy divers, four mountaineers and two local police constables rescued 128 people from Kallur, Devasuru, Bari Belachu, Mandalapati villages, who were stranded there for around 3 to 4 days, after trekking for seven kms.
“Among the 128 people, including three senior citizens aged above 85 years, were carried in improvised stretchers in the tough uphill terrain. We also rescued a lady in an advanced stage of pregnancy (8.5 months) and the entire operations lasted nine hours,” an official said.
“We also ensured cows were moved to safer places where they could get green vegetation and were safe from landslides. Bread and biscuits that were carried for our lunch were offered to dogs, who were sincerely waiting for their masters to return,” he added.
With the weather improving, youth volunteer groups are also reaching places like Haleri and Kadamakolli helping people in distress in Makkandur. The Dogra Regiment of the Army and the Army Sappers are still in Mukkodlu as some people are still isolated due to landslides in all sides.
Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in his latest press briefing on Saturday evening announced that 3,000 people have been rescued by rescue teams of the Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Department and Civil Defence.