Karnataka: Monsoon rains kill 155 in five months

BENGALURU: Facing the brunt of devastation and rain fury, Karnataka has recorded as many as 155 human deaths in the last five months, starting from April.

While Kodagu district might be the focal point of this year’s heavy devastation due to monsoon, surprisingly, the maximum number of deaths have occured in Bellary and Dakshina Kannada with 11 deaths recorded in each district.

Kodagu, till Monday afternoon, had recorded seven deaths.

As reports of landslides and mudslides take centre stage, it is to be noted that only six people have died due to this reason. The maximum number of deaths have occured due to lightning strikes in the state.

According to the revenue department, as many as 103 people have died due to lightning strikes with another 37 deaths due to house or tree falls. The department has recorded nine deaths due to drowning.

In property losses, Dakshina Kannada, which was drowned in excess rainfall over the last two months, has recorded as many as 1550 houses being damaged followed by Koppal (1239), Belagavi (1245) and Raichur (1121) districts.

Kodagu has recorded loss of 845 homes till Monday morning.

Overall, since April, as many as 11,738 homes have been destroyed.

The state government has said that as much as Rs 237.55 crore is available with all the 30 district commissioners under the state disaster management relief fund (SDRF).

While all districts have been given between Rs 5 to Rs 14 crore, Kodagu has been allocated Rs 30 crore for its rescue and relief operations.