With the preliminary estimate of losses due to floods surpassing the earlier numbers, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has invited Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to New Delhi on August 16 to present a proposal seeking funds for relief and rehabilitation works in the flood-hit areas of the State.
“I will go to Delhi with senior officials,” Mr. Yediyurappa told reporters at Sambra airport in Belagavi on Sunday after Mr. Shah, who conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Belagavi, left for the national capital.
According to initial estimates, the total loss is ₹10,000 crore, as against the earlier estimate of ₹6,000 crore. “We have sought immediate release of ₹ 3,000 crore from the Centre,” the Chief Minister said.
“Officers are telling me that the [total] loss is around ₹10,000 crore. But looking at the devastation here, I feel that the loss is between ₹30,000 and ₹40,000 crore,” he said.
Responding to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s estimation that the State had suffered losses running up to ₹1 lakh crore, Mr. Yediyurappa said the actual figures would be known only after a proper survey. He also said the Centre would take a call on declaring the floods a national calamity.
The CM said he would tour six flood-hit districts from Monday and meet affected families.