Yediyurappa to review rain havoc in north Karnataka

Bengaluru, Oct 16 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa would review the situation in the flood-battered northern region of the state on Friday, a statement said.

"The Chief Minister will do an aerial survey of the affected districts and assess the situation with its Deputy Commissioners on Friday for releasing funds," the statement said.

Torrential rains over the last two-three days caused flash floods in coastal and northern regions of the state, while with the southwest monsoon extending beyond September, excess rains and water-logging in agricultural fields damaged kharif crops before harvesting.

Bagalokot, Ballari, Belagavi, Bidar, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Raichur, Vijayapura and Yadgir in the state's north and northwest regions are the worst-affected.

"I will release funds after reviewing the situation with officials of the affected districts on Friday. I have also directed ministers in-charge of the districts to tour the region and ensure rescue and relief on a war-footing," said Yediyurappa.

Deputy Chief Minister Govid Karjol, who is the in-charge minister for Kalaburagi, said: "I have directed Deputy Commissioners to survey loss of human life, animals, homes, crops, roads, bridges and buildings for compensation."

Six teams of the national disaster response force (NDRF) have been deployed in Bidar, Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts for rescue and relief works.