Haliyal: MLA R V Deshpande has stated that the rains and flood have receded and water-level in the rivers has come to a standstill. But we have to be ready to face the post-flood challenges. Hence, flood relief works should be taken up in a sensitive manner. 

The government has been appealed to release the special funds for taking up relief works, he added.

Speaking to media persons here on Sunday, he said, people have lost their properties, cattle, agriculture lands and everything due to the heavy rainfall which lashed the district for nearly a week. Officials of various departments, public, people’s representatives have worked round the clock to rescue the flood-affected people and many people have contributed relief material to them.

However, now the responsibilities are more on every one. One should be strong enough to face the challenges. Crops in thousands of acre were submerged and remaining have been affected by diseases. With the accumulation of sand in agriculture lands, the soil has lost its fertility in the coastal region, he said and added that officials of all departments concerned should actively work and put their honest efforts in reaching the compensation to the victims.

In some regions, the flood water encircled the houses for more than five days affecting the foundation structure of the houses itself. Therefore compensation should be given not only based on the visible damages but also considering the structural damages.

Many cattle were also washed away in the flood. However, the number cannot be counted as there are no documents pertaining to them.

If cattle census was held or the vaccination documents are available with the Department of Animal Husbandry, compensation can be provided to the owners of the cattle, he said and added that the land encroachers have also suffered losses, hence, compensation should also be provided to them. A project should be planned in this regard, he added.