Date:19/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/19/stories/2006081908780300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Over 50 villages remain cut off

Staff Correspondent

Floods affect 5.7 lakh people in Belgaum Floods affect 5.7 lakh people in Belgaum

81 relief centres opened in five taluks
2,187 families put up in 1,950 temporary sheds

Rice, wheat and kerosene distributed to families

Belgaum: More than 50 villages on the banks of the Krishna in the district continue to be marooned.

Sources said that of the 95 villages affected by floods in Athani, Chikkodi, Raibag, Ramdurg and Gokak taluks, five were surrounded by floodwaters of the Krishna and the Ghataprabha rivers.

Cattle shifted

Totally, 5.69 lakh people have been affected, of which 77,000 have been shifted to safe places.

Also, nearly 29,000 cattle have been evacuated from flood-affected villages.

The affected families have been provided food and shelter in 81 relief centres opened in five taluks: five in Gokak, 31 in Chikkodi, 15 in Raibag, 28 in Ahani and two in Ramdurg. About 42,000 people have taken shelter in these centres.

The Government has housed 2,187 families in 1,950 temporary sheds. The Government provided 10 kg each of rice and wheat and 10 litres of kerosene to these families.

Fodder worth Rs. 18 lakh has been supplied to the cattle.

Doctors deputed

The Health Department has deputed 66 doctors and 19 ambulances to provide healthcare to affected families.

In all, 3,000 houses have been submerged, 377 partially damaged and five fully damaged.

Crop damage

Crops valued at Rs. 220 crore have been damaged owing to flood, the district administration said.