Bangalore:
With a let up in the rains, the flood situation in north Karnataka has begun to ease slightly. But all dams in the region remain full and rivers carrying water to Andhra Pradesh remain swollen.
The fact that the water is receding is a good sign, but clearly there is a long way to go before life can return to normal. In the last 24 hours, the number of dead in the Karnataka flood havoc has gone up from 130 to 170.
Bijapur, Bagalkote, Raichur, Koppal and Gulbarga districts remain the worst affected. In Bijapur alone, more than 17 villages are marooned and over 10,000 people have been left homeless.
The Air Force is continuing its mission of flying out helicopters to rescue the stranded and drop food to the needy. Most of the families have no food to eat as all their stored food grains and other commodities have been washed away in the flood.
The Chief Minister has announced Rs 12 crore relief aid to each affected district. The Centre has sent a team of 144 National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel with 29 boats to various districts. Besides, a batch of 1100 personnel of the Karnataka State Reserve Police KSRP are on ground for various relief operations.