Madikeri: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Kodagu to gauge the extent of damage caused by floods and landslides here.

Sitharaman has assured that the Indian Army will help in the restoration work being carried out here.

Addressing the media, Sitharaman said that the Indian Army will play a major role in providing relief to locals here. “I have come here as restoration of some of the roads, houses, buildings, water & electricity connections in Kodagu will be done by the Army,”

“The Indian Air Force is also trying to help.”

Two MI-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) took off for relief work earlier this week in Kodagu, operating from Kushalnagar, Periapatna and Harangi.

The torrential rains that lashed the district last week has left a huge trail of destruction and claimed at least 16 lives. Thousands have been rendered homeless.