Mysuru: Even as Kodagu limps back to normalcy rescue teams recovered the bodies of three more people killed in the recent landslides and floods on Saturday. While the body of 58- year -old Chandrappa was recovered in Hebbegeri, the body of 47 –year- old Francis Munthero was found near Hadageri, and that of 56- year- old Babu was traced in Udaygiri, Makkandur. Principal secretary and relief commissioner, revenue department (disaster management), Gangaram Baderia said the toll had risen to 20 in Kodagu since August 14.
As many as 1019 personnel of rescue teams of multiple agencies are continuing with the search operation, assisted by drones as a few more people are still missing in the district. They include Gilbert Madonsa, a former soldier, Harish Kumar of Hebbaale, 15- year- old Manjula of Jodupala, and seven -year -old Gagan of Hebbetgeri.
But with the rain and landslides largely subsiding, 1109 more people returned to their homes from the relief centres, leading to the closure of three more on Saturday. However, 4091 people continue to remain in 32 relief camps. Food and civil supplies minister, Zamir Ahmed, who visited the relief camps, formally launched the distribution of 50,000 aid kits comprising Rs 3800 in cash, 10 kgs of rice, 1 kg each of dal, oil, sugar and salt among the victims of the recent disaster. The minister revealed that so far 153 LPG cylinders, 486 quintals of rice, and 18.71 quintals of dal, had been given to the relief centres. And the people of the 34 worst hit gram panchyats would be given 35 kgs of rice and 1kg of dal each.
“One barrel (220 litres) of kerosene will be distributed to each gram panchayat for the people of their villages,” he added. The government is making an effort to restore Kodagu’s connectivity to Kerala, Mangaluru and Mysuru among other places, according to transport minister, D C Thammanna, who too visited the district on Saturday. “The KSRTC has begun operating seven mini buses from Sullia to Madikeri through Panathur and Bhagamandala and 10 more buses will take to the roads in the next four days,” he revealed. The minister said he was giving his salary for two months to the CM’s relief fund for Kodagu and KSRTC employees too were contributing a day’s salary, amounting to Rs 11.80 crores to the district.
