Friday, August 5 2005 14:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Belgaum: Floods have taken a toll of 16 lives in Belgaum district which has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 129 crore, Shalini Rajnish, Deputy Commissioner Belgaum said.

In all, 56 boats have been pressed into service for ferrying flood-affected people and evacuating people from submerged villages, she told reporters here yesterday (August 4, 2005).

Till date, over 52,000 people have been moved to safer places, she said, adding, over 8,000 houses have been damaged totally or partially due to the natural calamity.

A compensation of Rs 1,000 per hectare will be paid to small and marginal farmers in the district whose crops have been damaged, Rajnish said.

She said she did not foresee any stoppage of water and cautioned the officers to be prepared for the worst.

Relief work in flood-affected areas is being closely monitored, Rajnish said.