The flood situation in Karnataka worsened in Karnataka on Friday with no let up in the rains as the authorities battled to reach out to the needy in the state, where the toll went up to 12, with thousands of people being affected.
More rains are forecast in the state, already reeling under the floods and heavy downpour in North, coastal and Malnad regions continuing to pile up misery on the people with the situation still remaining grim.
"So far 12 persons have died (in flood related incidents), Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who has camped in flood-ravaged north Karnataka, told reporters in Bagalkote.
The Chief Minister also announced a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of those killed due to flood and rain related incidents in the state.
As an instant relief, the finance department released Rs 100 crore towards flood relief.
At least four members of a family were killed and one person is missing when a house on a foothill collapsed due to landslip in the hillock at Korangaala in Bhagamandala, the catchment area of the Cauvery river in Kodagu district, police said.
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The police added that the rescuers brought out four bodies, while a search was on for the fifth person.
Officials said 80,000 more people from flood-hit and rain-affected areas in Karnataka have been evacuated.
Joint rescue teams, comprising personnel from the Fire and Emergency Department, State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force and Army have evacuated 1,24,291 people so far, an official statement said Friday.
The cumulative figure for yesterday was 43,858.
In Belagavi district, the worst-hit by the floods, six people have lost their lives, while 1,410 kms of road and 4,019 government buildings have been damaged.
As on 8 AM today (Friday), 3.91 lakh cusecs (of water) is reaching Belagavi border from Maharashtra,"the statement said.
A video too emerged showing two motorcycle borne youth being swept away when the temporary claymade bridge they were crossing gave way,reportedly at Korangaala in Kodagu district.
The state has also roped in four helicopters for relief work, said the chief minister adding that these choppers have airlifted 71 people and provided food and medical assistance to those marooned in different parts of the state.
Almost all rivers in Karnataka are in spate, including the Krishna, Cauvery, Bhadravati, Hemavati, Thungabadra and Kabini, affecting thousands of people.
In addition to Belagavi, the affected districts include Bagaklote, Vijayapura, Raichur, Yadgir, Gadag, Uttara Kannada, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has pressed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi declare the flood situation in Karnataka as a national disaster of severe nature and provide additional support.
Gowda tweeted, "The flood situation in Karnataka has worsened.
I strongly urge PMO India to declare the floods in Karnataka as National Disaster of severe nature and extend additional support at the earliest."