Kalaburagi: The State government will release Rs 25 crore on Wednesday to take up flood relief and crop loss compensation at Kalaburagi and Bidar districts. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the district administrations of Bidar and Kalaburagi to disburse the compensation to affected people as per the NDRF norms.

The CM, who conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected places accompanied by Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa, spoke to mediapersons at Korwar village of Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district. He said as per the preliminary survey, the total loss due to flood in Kalaburagi district is worth Rs 349 crore. He said the damage was more severe in Bidar than in Kalaburagi district.

Further speaking, Siddaramaiah said that he would submit a memorandum to the union government seeking funds for flood relief after the district administration of both Bidar and Kalaburagi conduct a detailed joint survey and submit report within 10 days.

In a memorandum submitted to the chief minister by Kalaburagi district minister, it was said that as per the initial survey, the standing crop in 35,000 hectares on the banks of rivers were destroyed; 1,410 houses were damaged; one boy drowned and four others sustained injuries; 20 cattle died; 22 villages were severely affected. Around 681 families from these 22 villages were given shelter in 22 gruel centers, another 65 villages were partially affected.