Officials told to be vigilant of landslides, Rajakaluve flooding in Bengaluru

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

State Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda, who is also Vice Chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority, directed officials to take all precautionary measures to check landslides in Kodagu, Hassan, Sakleshpur and other such districts during the monsoon season, besides flooding of Rajakaluves in Bengaluru.

Speaking to reporters after holding a disaster management preparedness meeting with officials here on Friday, he said that as many as 21 people were killed by landslides in Kodagu last year.

The bitter experience should not repeat in the State, he said. The authority has received information that landslides may occur in Virajpet, Mudigere, Sulya, Bhagamandala, Madikeri and Sakaleshpura this season.

Officials must maintain strict vigil over such incidents during the monsoon season. The minister also directed officials to come up with an action plan of Rs 250 crore for the treatment of floodwaters of Rajakaluves of Bengaluru, which will be utilised to fill lakes by diverting them and could be used for constructive purposes.

Officials were also asked to submit a report to rejuvenate lakes in and around Bengaluru.