Karnataka estimates flood damage at over Rs 8,000 crore; seeks Centre's help

Bengaluru: Karnataka has estimated the losses due to the recent flash floods at Rs. 8,071 crore. The monsoon havoc resulted in large-scale destruction of public infrastructure, private properties and crops. Chief minister BS Yediyurappa gave the flood damage report, on Monday, to the six-member inter-ministerial central team (IMCT) that is on a visit to the state to assess the flood-affected areas. The team will submit its assessment to the Centre.

In a meeting with the IMCT team led by KV Pratap, joint secretary at the home ministry, the chief ministrer said that Karnataka is reeling under massive floods for the third consecutive year and sought the Centre’s assistance on the grounds that the state had been hit by the twin crises of flood havoc and Covid pandemic. “This year’s flood destroyed crops in about four lakh hectares of land. We have also experienced loss of lives, livestock and damage to the infrastructure including roads, schools and bridges,” the CM told the team.

Yediyurappa informed the IMCT members about the state’s challenges in dealing with flood damage, amid the pandemic. “We have spent Rs. 1,500 crore to mitigate flood damage last year. We will release 200 crore this year despite Covid- related challenges,” he said, adding that the state has already released Rs. 460 crore to manage Covid and the floods.