1.78 crore people affected by rains in Karnataka: CM

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said about 1.78 crore people in 15 districts of the state have been affected by the heavy rains that caused extensive damages and demanded a relief package of Rs 10,000 crore from the Centre.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said about 1.78 crore people in 15 districts of the state have been affected by the heavy rains that caused extensive damages and demanded a relief package of Rs 10,000 crore from the Centre.

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The damages to crop and public/private property are unprecedented and would exceed Rs 20,000 crore. Relief and reconstruction operations need to be taken up on a colossal scale considering the magnitude of the tragedy, he said.

Yeddyurappa requested the Centre to declare the calamity a "National Calamity" and release relief under NCCF (National Calamity Contingency Fund) to the extent of Rs 10,000 crore.

In separate letters sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram, Yeddyurappa said the state has been facing unprecedented floods in 15 districts of North Karnataka and coastal regions.

He said 2,03,291 houses have collapsed and agricultural crops in these districts have been completely lost and the road network and power installation badly damaged.