Bengaluru, (DHNS): Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday formed a committee headed by chief secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar to keep round-the-clock watch on the rescue and relief efforts in the flood-hit coastal and Malnad regions.

“This committee will also comprise of other senior officials to monitor rescue and relief works and primarily ensure there are no hurdles when it comes to releasing funds,” Kumaraswamy told reporters after chairing a high-level meeting to take stock of the flood situation at his home office Krishna.

The chief minister said the government had put its best foot forward to tackle the flood situation. “The government has not faltered anywhere. We are responding to people’s needs honestly. Our officers are working hard and nobody has gone on leave,” he said.

Kumaraswamy reiterated there was no dearth of funds. “There is Rs 237 crore available in the personal deposit accounts of deputy commissioners, who have been given full freedom to use them as they deem it fit,” he said.

As many as 948 rescue personnel from the armed forces, NDRF, civil defence among other agencies are operating on the ground. So far, about 3,500 people have been rescued to safety.

“This includes 347 people who were stranded due to a landslide on a hill on the Dakshina Kannada-Kodagu district border.” There are 31 relief camps where 2,250 people are being attended to. 

According to estimates, rainfall-induced losses in Shivamogga district has been pegged at Rs 65 crore and in Chikkamagaluru at Rs 88 crore. “There have been crop losses, mainly arecanut and coffee in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts. have sought exact details to be submitted in three to four days,” Kumaraswamy said.

A compensation of Rs 5 lakh has been released immediately for all human deaths, seven so far, the chief minister said. It was also decided not to fix a cap on compensation for house damage. “People should be able to rebuild their homes. So there’ll be no limit. We have decided to provide compensation liberally,” he said.