By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Kalaburagi in-charge Priyank Kharge has directed officials to act swiftly and sensitively in providing relief to people affected by incessant rainfall and floods in the district.
Chairing a virtual meeting with district and taluk-level officers on Tuesday, the Minister noted that the district has received 69% rainfall in excess in August and 52% above normal rainfall in the first 22 days of September.
He said that the heavy downpour over the past three days has worsened the situation, necessitating urgent relief and precautionary measures.
Mr. Kharge has asked officers to identify vulnerable households in low-lying areas and shift them to safer places with proper food and shelter.
He stressed that people must be cautioned against washing clothes, grazing cattle or swimming in rivers, lakes and streams. They should avoid gatherings at temples, mosques and churches located near water bodies during heavy inflows.
He directed officials to inspect schools, houses and buildings and regulate tourist activity near riverbanks, including prohibiting swimming, taking selfies and fishing.
“Villagers must be alerted in advance about water release from reservoirs through drum beating and public announcements and barricades should be erected to prevent people from crossing flooded bridges,” Mr. Kharge said.
The Minister emphasised the need for daily reports on crop loss and said that compensation under crop insurance and the disaster relief fund will be released soon.
The officials said that 3.01 lakh farmers have registered for crop insurance in the current kharif season and so far, 1.78 lakh, accounting for 59%, have filed claims for crop loss.
On reservoir inflows, the Minister said that water is being released from Ujjani and Sina reservoirs in Maharashtra into the Bhima river course at a rate of 2.54 lakhs cusecs. This water will reach the Sonna barrage in Afzalpur taluk.
At present, 2.20 lakh cusecs of water is being discharged from the barrage and more gates will be opened as inflow increases.
Similarly, 16,500 cusecs is being released from the Bennethora Reservoir.
He cautioned people living downstream to remain vigilant.
On flood preparedness, Mr. Kharge directed health officials to stock essential medicine, ORS and first-aid kits at hospitals.
Families rendered homeless must be shifted to government buildings or care centres, he said and advised Block Education Officers to inspect schools to ensure structural safety.
Parents, he said, should be advised not to allow children near overflowing streams and rivers.
The Minister also reviewed the availability of seeds and fertilisers. Officials from Agriculture Department told the meeting that the district has 21,682 tonnes of fertilisers in stock. This includes 5,117 tonnes of urea and 5,803 tonnes of DAP and 21,375 quintals of seeds earmarked for distribution under subsidy for the rabi season.
The Minister directed the officials to make sure that there is no shortage of seeds or fertilisers.
On drinking water, Mr. Kharge instructed officials to collect samples from affected villages for testing and ensure clean supply.
“If contamination is detected, tankers should be deployed. Urban local bodies have been told to maintain strict vigilance over drinking water safety,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Bhanwar Singh Meena, Police Commissioner Sharanappa S.D., Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu and senior district officers participated in the meeting.
