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An Appeal from Chief Minister
My Dear Friends
The unprecedented rains and floods in the 15 districts of Northern and Coastal parts of Karnataka have caused heavy damage to the lives and properties there. The damage is beyond anybody's imagination. Hundreds of people have lost their lives. Thousands of cattle have been washed away. Over two lakh houses have collapsed. The loss inflicted on public and private properties by this havoc is immeasurable. The situation in these areas is very pathetic and the lives of about 1.78 crore people are in doldrums. The magnitude of the loss as estimated by experts is in the tune of over Rs. 20,000 crore.
The State Government has so far provided Rs.305 crore using its resources. In the flood affected areas, the people are in severe trouble by having lost their dwelling places and their standing crops in lakhs of hectares of land. The victims are in the dire need of help in all manner as they have to restart their lives afresh. The Situation is very grim. The Government and Private organizations are required to handle the situation on humanitarian considerations.
Prior to this havoc, these 15 districts were reeling under severe drought due to the failure on monsoons. And as such, the present rains and floods have multiplied the woes of people in these areas. They are in the need of a kind of help like food, clothes, shelter and medical care. On the other hand it is a challenging task for us to contain the spread of epidemic diseases and maintain hygiene in these areas. The state has never before faced such a massive natural calamity, and naturally it demands huge resources for rehabilitation of the affected areas. The State Government has already appealed to the Union Government for a financial assistance of Rs.10.000 crore from National Calamity and Contingency Fund for relief and rehabilitation in these affected areas.
The State Government sparing no efforts, has rushed to the rescue of the victims on war-footing. I, along with my cabinet colleagues and officers, have conducted an aerial survey and taken stock of the situation. Immediately, the Government has set up more than 500 Relief Camps(Gruel Centers) and has provided shelter to over on lakh severely affected people. The rescue operations are in full swing with the assistance of Army, Air Force. Navy and Natural Disaster Relief Forces. The Prime Minister will also make an aerial survey soon. The union Government has assured assistance from National Calamity and Contingency Fund. It is the duty of every responsible citizen to express their solidarity with the flood victims and make liberal contributions.
To wipe out the tears of our brethren in trouble, I earnestly appeal every individual, organization, corporate body, donor and philanthropist to donate liberally and help bring back the smiles on their faces.
Donors may draw Cheques or Bank Drafts in favour of
“Calamity Relief Fund of Karnataka Account No.8235-00-111-0-02 and hand over in the office of Tahasildars in Taluks and the Deputy Commissioners in the districts or send directly to the section of Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Room #242, 2nd Floor, Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore-560 001, Please remember donations are not received in the form of cash.
I hope and anticipate that my fellow citizens would definitely rise to the occasion and join hands with the Government to bring a total relief in the lives of people who are worst affected by these unprecedented rains and floods.
