The massive floods along the banks of the Bhima river have resulted in crop losses in an area exceeding 10 lakh hectares, and 10,576 people from 117 villages of Kalaburagi, Yadgir, and Vijayapura districts were shifted to 80 relief centres set up by the Government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday after conducting an aerial survey of the flood-affected regions and meeting officials.
Addressing a news conference, Siddaramaiah said the state Government would provide additional relief to farmers who lost their crops due to flooding in the region. “While the National Disaster Response Fund provides Rs 8,500 relief per hectare for dry land, Rs 17,000 for irrigated land, and Rs 22,500 for multi-year crops, the state government will release an additional Rs 8,500 per acre,” the chief minister said, adding that the additional relief was expected to cost the state exchequer around Rs 2,000-2,500 crore.
While preliminary estimates indicate a crop loss affecting an area of Rs 9.6 lakh hectares, it could increase further once a joint survey of flood-hit regions is complete, the chief minister said. Of this, 8.88 lakh hectares had agricultural crops, and the remaining area horticultural crops.
Siddaramaiah attributed the disaster to climate change, as North Karnataka districts had received the highest rainfall in years. The floods were due to the showers and discharge from dams in Maharashtra following heavy showers in the region.
Owing to the floods, 547 houses were completely damaged, for which the Government will provide compensation of Rs 1.2 lakh. Rs 23.12 crore has been released for those who lost houses or people whose houses were damaged.
Since the start of the monsoon season in June, 52 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, the chief minister said. Fifteen of them died in wall collapses, and 23 drowned. Siddaramaiah said relief would be provided to all victims.