Floods: Soldier blocks road to draw attention

Hubballi: The Central flood inspection team had to face the wrath of victims during its visit to several villages of Kagwad taluk in Belagavi district on Sunday.

Meanwhile, BSF jawan Raju Kumbar staged a road-blockade near Shiraguppi village criticising the failure of the team members to visit his native hamlet of Mangawati which is devastated by the flood waters of Krishna river. This  hampered vehicular movement on Sankeshwar-Jewargi state highway.

The Gram Panchayat presidents and members tried to persuade him to withdraw his dharna by assuring him of a bandh in the village to condemn the  failue of the administration to distribute compensation. Later, police officials had to intervene and faced a tough time in convincing the soldier who is dejected over the loss of his house and crop.

The people of other flood-hit villages of Jugul and Shahapur also waited several hours for the visit of the Central team.  Many of them contended that the team has inspected the crop loss and damage of the houses without getting down from their car.

Stating that there is colossal damage to the sugarcane crop due to flood waters in the catchment areas of Krishna river in Belagavi district, joint secretary, ministry of home affairs Shri Prakash said that his top priority will be to ensure compensation at the earliest to Karnataka to take up the rehabilitation process of the victims.

Addressing press persons after visiting the flood affected village of Shedabal in Kagwad taluk on Sunday, the head of the Central flood inspection team said that the district administration has done a commendable job to rescue the flood victims and casualties would have been much more if timely efforts were not initiated.

"We have inspected the loss due to floods by visiting a few villages in the district. We expect the state government to submit its report to us on Monday,” he added.