Residents moved to safer places after heavy rain puts Belthangady on flood alert
Mangaluru: Taking a cue from last year's experience, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has shifted all the 32 families of Ganesh Nagar in Belthangady Taluk.
Ganesh Nagar is situated on the foothills of the Western Ghats in Mittabagilu Panchayat.
Heavy rains accompanied by a landslide had created havoc in places like Ganesha Nagara, Parla, Makki, and nearby areas of Malavanthige and Mittabagilu panchayat on August 9, 2019. Though there was no loss of life, there was huge damage to the houses, plantations and agricultural land. Relief and rescue operation was a tough task for the officials as these places are difficult to reach due to the terrain.
Learning from experience, the district administration has taken precautionary measures.
The region is experiencing heavy rain accompanied by strong winds for 3-4 days. The crack developed last year has raised the concern of the officials.Now, after one year, the heavy downpour in the region has prompted the officials take precautionary measures.
"We have shifted 32 families, of which 24 families with 115 people preferred to go to the house of their relatives and friends. A temporary shelter has been opened at Mittabagilu school for the remaining 34 people from eight families," Puttur Sub Division Assistant Commissioner Yathish Ullal told reporters after visiting the spot.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle Belthangady Tahsildar Mahesh G said that the Panchayat officials have been asked to check if people from any other places in and around Mittabagilu and Malavanthige village too have to be shifted to temporary rehabilitation centers.
"Due to COVID, we have taken enough precautionary measures to follow social distancing. We have increased the number of temporary centers from one to two to ensure that they are not crowded and social distance is maintained. People in nearby places have been asked to take shelter at the schools if they face any threat due to rain and flood. We have made enough arrangements for the food at the school," he said.
Following last year's rain damage, the government has already handed over land for the construction of houses to the families of Ganesh Nagar.
"As there was a delay in the construction of the house they are still living at Ganesh Nagar. But due to the rain, we have asked everybody to leave their house and come to the temporary shelter. Police and local officials too have been alerted to ensure that nobody is at home at night. During the day some people go to feed their cattle and return immediately," he added.
As the National Highway on Charmadi Ghat section connecting Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru gets blocked due to landslides and tree felling during monsoon, officials have placed a JCB to clear the debris and allow normal traffic.
