Worst Flood in 100 Years claims 160 lives in Karnataka, AP

Bangalore: Over 160 people were killed in heavy rain and flood conditions in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This is the worst-ever flood in the last 100 years. While more than 130 people died in Karnataka alone, 27 people were killed in Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra too reported 10 deaths. Over 100,000 houses were submerged under flood water in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Army and Air Force have been pressed into service to undertake the rescue and relief operations. Army boats and Air Force helicopters began rescuing people, who were marooned at several places of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The rain continued for the third consecutive day, playing havoc in the Southern states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. A maximum of 29 deaths were reported from Bijapur in Karnataka. Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal, and Bagalkot also reported many casualties.

The Karnataka government has deployed over 100 boats and 5 helicopters in the rescue and relief operations. Around 90 relief centres have been set up at various places. In Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool is the worst-affected district.

Major roads and rail networks in north Karnataka have been completely submerged. Most of the areas were cut off from the rest of the world. The Tungabhadra river and several other rivulets, steams and tanks, which are overflowing, washed away all major and small roads.

The Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh witnessed the worst flood in 100 years, killing at least 27 people so far. Situation is grim in Kurnool and Mahboobnagar districts, as all communications networks have been disrupted due to floods.

A major landslide in Kadawada village in Uttara Kannada district, buried eight houses. According to eyewitnesses, around 20 people were feared trapped. Rescue team has been rushed to the spot.