Flood in North Karnataka

Images and a short Report

The recent torrential rain and the subsequent flood have left many homeless in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states of South India. Our project areas in North Karnataka have also been affected with this situation.

1. Don Bosco Deodurga: Deodurga is a Taluk in Raichur district and many villages were affected with overflowing rivers, canals etc. In the villages we work, many houses have collapsed due to incessant rain. Many houses in the area are just built with mud and stones or even dry sticks put together. Quite a few houses were also badly damaged with partial collapse and leaking roof etc. Our initial fact finding has identified about 30 houses that has to be rebuilt and about the same number that needs repair - some of them as good as re-construction.
2. Don Bosco Yadgir:Our project at Yadgir has a skill training centre, B Ed College, D Ed College, School, Hostel for girls and Community based actions in about 26 villages. The sudden flood inundated the entire campus at about midnight and all the inmates had to take shelter on first floor ( hostel inmates) and the Salesian Personnel had to wade through about 4 feet water to reach the college building to settle on its first floor. The rescue from Police and Fire personnel with small boats happened during the next morning. While all are safe, there has been extensive damage to property. The computer lab, Library books, printed teaching and instruction materials, new books for the school etc have been lost.

While the waters have receded the people are trying to get back to the reality. For most people of the area their crops on which they depend on livelihood has been totally destroyed.

I will be visiting these places in the coming week and will post more information about the situation in these projects.