The recent spell of rain has been especially harsh on Chitradurga district, among the most arid districts of the state. At least four people have died and 1,300 houses damaged since rains began on November 2. At least 70 houses collapsed.
The recent spell of rain has been especially harsh on Chitradurga district, among the most arid districts of the state. At least four people have died and 1,300 houses damaged since rains began on November 2. At least 70 houses collapsed. Scores of cattle have died.
The district is known for its deep and shallow black soil, and red loamy, sandy soil. Nearly 80% of the worst affected areas in the district have non-porous black and mixed red and black soil, a cause for special worry. Water cannot percolate easily, and will stagnate. Chitradurga is known for water-borne infections. It is also a site of high morbidity resulting from vector-borne diseases like malaria.
It is estimated that nearly 24,000 hectares of agricultural lands are submerged; the damage has been extensive in the past 36 hours, with nearly 700 houses partially damaged and 30 totally collapsed.
The taluks of Molkalmuru, Holalkere, Hiriyur and Hosadurga were worst affected. Holakere is also a low-lying taluk. A total of 17 lakes and tanks have breached, and several residential areas have been flooded in Chitradurga city. At Matadakurubara Hatti, three persons belonging to a family died when the roof of their home collapsed.
Additional deputy commissioner, Chitradurga district, Nirvanappa, said, “The loss in the rain in Chitradurga has been estimated at `21.44 crore. But that is if you count only material loss in the form of property and houses. Losses from destruction of standing crops are yet to be assessed. This could well be among the biggest natural disasters to have struck Chitradurga.”
Revenue minister Karunakara Reddy, also district in-charge minister, visited the flood-affected areas. He has also announced that the state government would release `3 crore for immediate relief operations. Among the relief measures announced by the minister were the setting up of ganji (rice porridge) centres, one of which was already functioning.
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