For flood-hit Kodagu, HDK seeks Rs 2000 crore central aid 

Bengaluru: In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy urged the Centre release a sum of Rs 2,000 crores as interim relief, towards the rehabilitation work in flood-hit area of Kodagu.

“I appeal to you to release an interim relief of Rs 2,000 crore to enable the state government rehabilitate Kodagu’s flood-hit victims,” Kumaraswamy mentioned in the letter, he wrote on Thursday.

The incessant rains that wreaked havoc in the Kodagu district and surrounding Malnad region have caused loss to the tune of Rs 3000 crore as per an initial estimate. 

Drawing Modi’s attention to the devastation, Kumaraswamy, in his letter, writes that at least 17 people have died, and over 2000 houses damaged owing to the torrential rainfall from August 14 to 22. Extensive damage has also been caused to the public infrastructure as well as private properties, including crop – coffee, areca, pepper – plantations.

While urging for a liberal assistance from the central government in the time of this calamity, the chief minister wrote, “We have resolved to rebuild Kodagu using the concept of ‘build back better’. I, therefore, humbly appeal to your kindself to immediately release an interim relief of Rs 2,000 crores to enable us to start rehabilitation process pending submission of memorandum after a comprehensive assessment.”

The state administration has offered refuge to nearly 7,500 people at 53 relief camps and has so far rescued over 4,500 people in the relief operations.