Bengaluru, Jul 24 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is scheduled to visit flood-hit Belagavi on Sunday.
Earlier on Saturday, he spoke to deputy commissioners and district ministers over the phone to get first-hand information on the rain situation.
The situation is becoming serious as nine deaths have been reported in the state so far due to heavy rains. Eight people have died due to drowning and one died because of the collapse of a house.
Four deaths have been reported from Uttara Kannada, Belagavi (2), Chikkamagaluru, Dharwad and Kodagu (one each), said the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
As many as 2,600 houses and 213 school buildings have been damaged, 555.8 km of roads affected, and 3,502 electrical poles uprooted.
Agricultural and horticultural crop losses also have been reported on 58,961 hectares and 1,962 hectares, respectively.
Amidst this worsening situation, the Chief Minister's Office issued a statement quoting Mr Yediyurappa, who has asked the ministers to remain in their districts and supervise rescue and rehabilitation works.
The authorities have taken some relief measures. As many as seven NDRF and 15 SDRF teams along with fire personnel, an Indian Navy helicopter and coast guards are engaged in rescue operations.
So far, the government has evacuated as many as 31,360 people and set up 237 relief camps. As many as 22,417 people are currently housed in these camps.
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