Bidar, June 19 -- A total of five people have died so far since the rainfall started this monsoon, officials informed Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao during a review meeting on Wednesday.

"The government has already provided Rs.1.2 lakh to each of the 82 families whose houses were fully destroyed. Among 705 partially damaged homes, compensation has reached 677 households," Rao said while warning the Puttur tahsildar of strict action if payment delays to the remaining families weren't resolved immediately. "Ensure this is cleared within a day."

According to an official, the downpour has pushed the district's daily rainfall far above average, with 55.7 mm recorded in 24 hours, compared to the normal 38.4 mm. ...