BENGALURU: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday announced formation of four teams of BJP leaders, including one led by himself, to tour 12 flood-hit districts over next two days in order to assess the damage and monitor relief operations underway in these regions.
Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar, former deputy chief minister K. S .Eshwarappa and former minister Shobha Karandlaje are heads of the other teams.
Mr Yediyurappa will be accompanied by Union minister of state for railways, Suresh Angadi, and legislators Umesh Katti, Govinda Karjol and Ravikumar during his tour of Belagavi, Chikkodi and Bagalkot districts while Mr Shettar, Shivakumar Udasi, MP, former minister Basavaraj Bommai and legislator Dinakar Shetty will visit Dharwad, Uttara Kannada and Haveri districts. Former ministers V Somanna and C T Ravi will accompany Mr Eshwarappa during the tour of Shivamogga, Kodagu and Hassan districts. The fourth team, led by Ms Shobha Karandlaje will visit Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikamagaluru districts.
Meanwhile, sources in the party explained that party leaders were given the task of assessing the damage in flood-affected areas and to oversee relief operations as a full cabinet is not in place.
The Chief Minister has also instructed deputy commissioners to submit report on havoc wrought by floods. These inputs will be used by the state government while submitting a memorandum to the Union government for financial assistance under the natural calamity fund, according to sources in the state government.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa reportedly expressed his displeasure to Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis when he learnt about release of five lakh cusecs from Koyna dam, a move which aggravated the flood situation in north Karnataka, on Thursday.
Official sources said Mr Yediyurappa took umbrage as Mr Fadnavis informed him only after release of water adding to the woes of people already rendered homeless owing heavy rainfall in Belagavi, Bagalkot and other districts. About 25 per cent of houses in low-lying areas of Belagavi are already inundated following incessant rain.
