This Article is From Oct 03, 2009

Heavy rains kill over 100 in Karnataka

Hyderabad: In north Karnataka, incessant rains over the past four days has claimed more than a hundred lives but the situation is still grim across districts in north Karnataka with Bijapur being the worst affected.

Helicopter rescue operations have been carried out by the Air Force. Chief Minsiter BS Yeddyurappa visited Bellary to oversee the rescue operations where a around-the-clock flood relief cell has been set up to oversee relief work.

It's not just Bellary, which has been affected, north Karnataka seems to have gone under water. The other districts affected are:

Karwar in coastal Karnataka bordering goa; its one of the most affected areas. The situation in Raichur, Gulbarga, Bijapur Koppal, Bellary and Bagalkot is quite grim.

In Karwar district, 5-6 hills have reported to have caved in due to incessant rains.

Rescue operations are difficult as access to the areas has been cut off.

Konkan Railway trains have stopped near Goa as tracks have submerged in water.

The Mangalore-Mumbai NH 17 has been blocked with hills caving in. Thousands of houses have collapsed leaving people stranded.

Aid is on its way for the flood victims from the Bangalore airport. Food packets have to be air dropped as most of the affected areas are inaccessible.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa is in Bellary to take stock of the flood situation.

"Ten choppers are involved in rescue work and we are in touch with Andhra CM over water release," he told NDTV.
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