Over 2 lakh persons have been evacuated to safer places due to the floods that have wreaked havoc in five districts of Western Maharashtra, the worst hit being the districts of Sangli and Kolhapur. At least nine persons drowned in Sangli district when a rescue boat capsized. The region is being pounded by rains incessantly over the last few days.
In Karnataka, nearly 44,000 people have been evacuated from flood-hit and rain-affected areas. The worst-hit was Belagavi district, where six people have lost their lives while 40,180 people have been evacuated by rescue teams comprising Fire and Emergency department, state Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force and Army. Two people died in rain-related incidents in Uttara Kannada district, from where 3,088 people have been shifted to safety till date, and one in Shivamogga, according to official figures. Nearly 17,000 people are taking shelter in relief camps.
Here are the live updates for the day, with inputs from our Karnataka, Maharashtra bureaux
Over 2 lakh evacuated, 27 dead, in last few days
Over two lakh persons have been evacuated to safer places due to floods that have wreaked havoc in five districts of Western Maharashtra in the last few days, said a senior official.
The number of deaths in rain or flood-related incidents in the last few days was 27, including nine deaths due to drowning in Sangli after a rescue boat capsized.
Divisional Commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar said that a total of 2,05,591 people have been shifted in the districts of Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur, Pune and Satara.
- PTI
Declare Karnataka floods a 'national calamity' : Karnataka Congress
The Congress in Karnataka Thursday demanded that the Centre declare the unprecedented flood situation in the state as a ‘national calamity’ and immediately release ₹5,000 crore to carry out relief work.
“We have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the situation in Karnataka is grave. We want the prime minister to declare it as a national calamity. We want Centre to release Rs 5,000 crore,” Karnataka Congress Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao told reporters here.
Over 2 lakh left without power supply: Fadnavis
Over two lakh people have no power supply and as many as 390 water supply schemes in flood-affected areas have become dysfunctional, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday after conducting an aerial survey to take stock of the situation. Crops and houses have been damaged with thousands shifted to safer places, he said, adding that restoring water and electricity supply was the priority.
He also demanded a complete loan waiver for farmers in the flood- ravaged Sangli and Kolhapur districts taking into account “unprecedented” loss caused to agriculture.
Cabinet secretary reviews flood-situation in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Gujrat
Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting and reviewed the prevailing flood situation in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat, directing that immediate assistance be provided to the states to resolve the crisis.
According to officials, rescue and relief operations will be scaled up in these states in view of the IMD forecast stating that more rains are expected in Gujarat, Maharashtra and coastal Karnataka over the next two days.
At the meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), Mr. Sinha took stock of the current situation, preparedness, rescue and relief operations in the four states and said that additional boats will be deployed in Maharashtra and Karnataka. - PTI
Holiday announced for schools and colleges in Udupi on August 9
Due to continuous rains in the Udupi district and the Indian Metrological Department predicting 204 mm rains with strong winds on Friday, the Deputy Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati has announced a holiday for all Anganwadis, schools and colleges in the district on August 9, stated an official press release here on Thursday.
Meanwhile, former Union minister M. Veerappa Moily on Thursday hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, alleging he is “busy” transferring deputy commissioners, police officers and chief executive officers indiscriminately when the state is reeling under severe floods. The former CM also alleged that rescue and rehabilitation works in flood-affected districts are in total disarray and have come to standstill.
Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said the government has directed all its departments to help the people affected by floods in Sangli and Kolhapur districts in the state. He also announced financial assistance for the kin of nine victims who died in a boat capsize incident during the rescue operation in Sangli on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik attacked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for “waking up late” to the situation and termed his aerial survey of the affected region “disaster tourism“.
- PTI
Karnataka CM appeals to people to donate for relief and rehabilitation
People being rescued from Kushalnagar city in Karnataka's Kodagu district. | Photo credit: Special Arrangement
Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa made an appeal to the people to donate generously, saying at least ₹5,000 crore would be required for relief and rehabilitation in flood-hit and rain-affected areas in the State. In addition, at least 30,000 houses were required to be built, he said.
“I appeal to donors with folded hands that we are in a peculiar situation. Please donate generously,” the chief minister said addressing reporters after inspecting the flood ravaged areas in Belagavi.
Railways suspends traffic
Bridge no 425/1 between Pandharpur and Modlimb of Kurduwadi Miraj section has been suspended for railway traffic due to heavy trespassing by local people as all road bridges connecting to Pandharpur are flooded.
Karnataka agrees to releasing water from Almatti dam: Fadnavis
Chief Minister along with other Ministers on aerial survey of flood-affected Sangli and Kolhapur.
In the light of the ongoing flood situation, Karnataka agrees to Maharashtra's demand of releasing 5 lakh cusecs water from Almatti dam in Karnataka. This will help bring down flood water level in Sangli, says Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “I spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah who has assured all assistance from the GOI to tackle flood situation in Maharashtra.”
Twelve drown in boat capsize in Sangli
Twelve persons are feared drowned after a boat capsized in Sangli's Palus taluk during rescue operations. Nine bodies have been recovered so far.
Around 30 people were being ferried in the boat when it turned turtle near Brahmanal village . The boat, which belonged to the Brahmanal Gram Panchayat, was not part of the official relief operations being carried out by the NDRF and the Army, said Pune Divisional Commissioner, Dr Deepak Mhaisekar,
He added that the search for the missing three bodies was on.
An NDRF team has reached the spot of accident.
Kodagu's Harangi dam in full flow on Thursday, August 8, 2019.
More than 30000 cusecs of water is being discharged from Harangi dam in Kodagu since Thursday morning.
People situated downstream have been asked to move to safer places as the inflow to the dam has been on the rise with torrential rains in Kodagu.
Reports come in of a boat capsizing in Sangli's Palus taluk during rescue operations. The boat carrying 10-12 persons turned turtle in Brahmanal village during rescue by local outfits. Some people are feared drowned.
An NDRF team is currently on its way to the accident spot.
Coast Guard evacuates 110 stranded persons in Uttara Kannada
Indian Coast Guard personnel rescuing people from Uttara Kannada, on Wednesday.
Indian Coast Guard personnel rescuing people from Uttara Kannada, on Wednesday.
Indian Coast Guard personnel evacuated 110 persons, including women and children, stranded in Sunksal and Ankola areas in Uttara Kannada following floods on August 7 evening, according to S. S. Dasila, Commander, Indian Coast Guard Karnataka.
A rescue team of the coast guard has now been deployed at Kirwatti in Yellapura taluk of Uttara Kannada, he said in a statement here on August 8.
Another team is in Karkundi, near Kirwatti, and one more rescue team is at Siddar, 14 km from Karwar, Mr. Dasila said. — K. Prasad
Karnataka Cabinet expansion pushed to next week as Amit Shah asks Yediyurappa to focus on flood relief
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has to now wait till early next week for his ministerial expansion.
The Chief Minister, who was waiting in New Delhi to hold consultations with the party central leadership on Cabinet expansion, has abruptly returned to the State as the central leaders, who were busy attending the cremation of veteran leader Sushma Swaraj, told him to focus on flood relief for now.
Water from River Gundia enters Mangaluru-Bengaluru highway
Water from Gundia river entered the Mangaluru-Bengaluru national highway 75 at Udane in Dakshina Kannada on August 8 morning. Vehicles were stranded on the highway.
All rivers in the coastal belt continue to be in spate, though the intensity of rains came down on August 8.
Incessant rains on the Western Ghats have resulted in all the rivers flowing close to the danger level.
At least four trees got uprooted due to gusty winds in Boloor, near Mangaladevi temple, in Mangaluru on Wednesday night. A house was partially damaged in tree fall. No one was injured.
Many areas in Sakaleshpur town flooded
Following heavy rain, many localities are flooded in Sakaleshpur town forcing the residents to remain indoors since Thursday morning.
The localities close to the Hemavati River bank, Azad Nagar and other residential layouts are marooned. Many cars and two-wheelers are in water.
Hemavati river is in spate and the Hole Malleshwara Temple and buildings nearby are flooded.
Water levels in Krishna, Panchganga rivers rise above danger levels
Battered by relentless rainfall for the last 72 hours, water levels of the Krishna River in Sangli and the Panchganga River in Kolhapur have exceeded the danger levels several times over. According to reports, the Krishna River is presently flowing above the danger mark at an alarming 57 feet at the Irwin bridge in the heart of Sangli city.
Water enters Sangli jail
The flood situation due to heavy rains has worsened in western Maharashtra’s Sangli with water entering the district prison, forcing authorities to shift prisoners to its upper floor, an official has said.
Following heavy downpour in Sangli in the last few days, the district jail premises, housing around 370 inmates, got inundated on Wednesday.
“Currently there is nearly knee-level water in barracks on the ground floor. We have shifted all inmates to barracks on the first floor. So far, there is no need to shift the inmates out of the jail,” Additional Director General (Prisons) Sunil Ramanand has said.
- PTI
Flood situation over north interior Karnataka and south Maharashtra will ease down from August 10 or 11, says Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist, Skymet
Skymet also predicts that most parts of Gujarat will experience flood-like situation with heavy rains on August 9. Intensity will go down from 10, says the weather service company.
"Heavy to very heavy rains have occurred over Chhattisgarh and many parts of Madhya Pradesh. Now heavy rains are possible over MP's Vidarbha and south east Rajasthan for next 24 hours,"says Skymet
Delhi weather to remain dry until August 12. Monsoon trough is south of Delhi and humid easterly winds are blowing. Isolated thunder storm activities can't be ruled out. But, Rain is expected in moderate intensity from 13th, Skymet added.
5 more NDRF teams from the Punjab pressed into action in Kolhapur and Sangli
According to reports, 5 more NDRF teams from the Punjab pressed into action in Kolhapur and Sangli.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Kolhapur Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil and Maharashtra water resources Minister Girish Mahajan to take stock of the situation via an aerial survey of flood hit districts.
Reports of 1000 persons still marooned in water logged rural areas of Sangli
According to military sources, a total of 16 columns and 12 Engineer Task Forces comprising almost 1000 Army personnel have been deployed in flood-hit Belagavi, Bagalkot and Raichur districts of Karnataka, and Kolhapur and Sangli districts in Maharashtra to carry out flood relief operations.
Couple stranded on roof of their house in Kabalapur
A couple who were stranded on the roof of their house in Kabalapur would be rescued using helicopters, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddiyurappa said in Belagavi on Thursday.
"We have urged the central government for all assistance. The couple will be rescued on priority today", he said.
The government's other priorities will be releasing compensation to families of those who died in the floods and releasing Rs 10,000 to farmers, including Rs 6,000 under PM kisan yojana, and Rs 4,000 from the state government.
Over 1.32 lakh evacuated from 5 districts in western Maharashtra
Over a lakh people from 20,000 families have been moved to safety as local residents, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Armed forces are pulling out all the stops to rescue those stuck in water-logged areas in Kolhapur and Sangli districts.
The districts are experiencing the worst deluge since 2005.
Sixteen people in five districts — Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Solapur — in western Maharashtra have lost their lives over the past week. Around 1.32 lakh people from these districts have been evacuated till Wednesday, Pune Divisional Commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar said.
Discharge from Kabini dam stepped up to 60,000 cusecs
The crest gates of the Kabini reservoir in H.D. Kote in Mysuru district have been opened and the discharge has been stepped up to 60,000 cusecs, the highest so far this year.
The district administration is in touch with the authorities in Wayanad district in Kerala, the catchment area for Kabini, and were informed of very heavy rainfall and have warned of a surge in the inflow to the dam.
Last year around the same time, the outflow was around 80,000 cusecs, which led to flooding in the downstream area.
NDRF deployed in Dharwad district
With the flood situation turning worse, a team of NDRF has been deployed in the Dharward district of Karnataka.
According to latest reports, about 10 villages have been totally inundated and families residing in those areas are being shifted to safety.
The district administration has stepped up rescue operation and rehabilitation works. Several areas in the Dharwad city limits too have remained innundated.
More rehabilitation centres have been opened, taking total numbers to eight. Over 400 people have been shifted to various rehabilitation centers in the city so far.
Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa visits flooded areas
Villagers in Dhamane pour out their woes ito CM B.S. Yediyurappa when he came to visit them on
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa visits Damane village on the outskirts of Belagavi on Thursday, August 8, 2019
"No officer has come to meet us till now. Today they are coming in cars and vans because you are here," Lakhman Bhishte, a resident tells the CM.
Nagavva Hukkeri said that they had not got drinking water for four days. There is a scarcity of milk and vegetables too, she said.
Traffic movement on Bengaluru-Mangaluru Road (NH 75) has been affected after a tree was uprooted near Sakaleshpur.
Vehicles were stuck on the highway for a couple of hours.
The Forest Department has cleared the tree, ensuring traffic movement.
Inflow to Hemavati reservoir on the rise
The inflow to Hemavati reservoir has been on the rise due to heavy rains in the catchment area. In the last 24 hours, the inflow was 48,133 cusecs.
With this the water level in the reservoir has increased to 2905.30 ft against the full reservoir level of 2922ft.
The total quantity of water available in the reservoir is 23.27 TMC.
Hassan district declares holiday for schools and colleges
Hassan district administration has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in six taluks of the district in view of heavy rains.
The education institutes in Hassan, Alur, Sakaleshpur, Holenarsipur, Arakalgud and Belur will remain closed on Thursday.
Rivers, tributaries flow above danger level in north Karnataka districts
With no let-up in the rains and increased outflow from the reservoirs in Krishna basin in both Maharashtra and North Karnataka, the flood situation in the northern districts only worsened on Wednesday.
The rivers in these districts are flowing above danger level and their tributaries and rivulets too are in spate.
The district administrations of Haveri, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, and Dharwad have declared holiday for all educational institutions. It will be holiday for three days in Belagavi and Dharwad, two days in Haveri, and one day in Uttara Kannada.
Published - August 08, 2019 10:02 am IST
