Mangaluru: Revenue Minister R.V. Deshpande said here on Thursday that the State government has released ₹22 crore to districts across the State as calamity relief. In this, ₹3 crore each has been given to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, respectively.

Talking to reporters after a meeting to review the rain and flood damage, and relief work done in Dakshina Kannada, Mr. Deshpande said the monsoon which was widespread in the State has damaged houses, roads and other public infrastructure. The State government has ensured that each district has a minimum of ₹5 crore to carry out immediate repair of damaged roads and pay compensation to affected families.

Mr. Deshpande said it was raining heavily in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada in the last few days. With ₹3 crore from the State, the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner now has ₹6.09 crore for the calamity relief. Similarly the Udupi Deputy Commissioner has ₹5.51 crore. The Deputy Commissioners have been directed to get the damaged roads repaired immediately. “We can only do immediate works. Permanent repair works have to be carried out by the respective departments,” he said.

The Minister said there was serious damage to the road passing through Charmadi Ghat, which connects Mangaluru with Bengaluru, because of landslide following heavy rain in the region since Monday.

“Landslides were noticed on Wednesday too. The repair work has been taken up and the Ghat will be opened for traffic shortly. Safety of commuters is important. Commuters have to bear with inconvenience caused because of closure of the Ghat,” he said.

Mr. Deshpande said that seven persons have lost their lives following heavy rain in Dakshina Kannada since April.

Apart from ₹4 lakh from the calamity relief fund, the family of each of the victim will get ₹1 lakh from the Chief Minister’s fund.

Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil S. said that a compensation of ₹5 lakh has been paid to family of two women who died following heavy rain on May 29.

The Minister said all the Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners have been asked to be on the move in their districts and regularly monitor relief measures.

They should be accessible to public and elected representatives. Except for emergency, no leave will be granted to employees working in revenue department during this monsoon season, he said.