MADIKERI: Six persons, including a two-week-old child, died in landslides and house collapses due to heavy rain in Kodagu. Venkatesh, Yashwanth and Pavan were buried in a landslide at Katakeri on Thursday. Basappa, 51, died when a house collapsed in a landslide at Jodupala and Mukkatira Sabu Uthappa, 64, was buried under slush when his house collapsed at Muvathoklu on Friday.Minister RV Deshpande disclosed these details at latenight press conference here. Thousands of people were stranded even as the state government pressed Army and with many state agencies for rescue operations. Many households are running out of food and water, and those not affected are helping out. Since most mobile networks are down, people have not been able to contact police or relatives for help.Houses collapse as landslides continue to hit Madikeri townThe situation is likely to worsen as the Met department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours in Malnad and coastal regions.The government on Friday dispatched a team of 73 engineering task force of the Army with boats and rescue equipment. Twelve Navy swimmers have been rushed to the district. Deshpande has summoned a Navy team from Karwar and an additional Army team to speed up rescue.A flooded street in the town shows the extent of devastation in this tourist destination on FridayChief minister HD Kumaraswamy will visit the district on Saturday and oversee rescue & relief operations. He’s expected to conduct an aerial survey of rain-affected areas. On Sunday, he’ll visit Nanjangud and Kabini areas.Around 20 people were reportedly missing due to landslides at Jodupala in Kodagu district. Massive landslides were reported from Shirangala, Mandalpatti, Mukkodlu, Hattihole, Kaluru, Galibeedu and 2nd Monnangeri. Several towns and villages including Madikeri, Kushalnagar and Napoklu have been marooned. Around 300 people are stranded in different areas.Inflatable boats are carried through the streets by volunteersThe district administration has roped in helicopters for rescue operations, they are unable to use them due to inclement weather. “We have not been able to clear debris and landslides using JCBs as soil slips every time we clear them. Since no vehicles can reach spots where people are stranded, rescue teams have to trek to the spots,” said Kodagu DC P I Sreevidya. The government has opened 17 relief centres across the district.Revenue minister R V Deshpande tours Kodagu district to assess the damageMany ATMs and fuel stations are running dry in Kodagu district, adding to people’s misery. The situation could turn grim if banks don’t replenish ATMs soon.As the district was cut off from the rest of the state since Monday, banks haven’t been able to replenish ATMs in Madikeri, Somwarpet, Virajpet and Siddapura. People are struggling to pay for groceries and medicines. The supply of petroleum products to the district has stopped as the Mangaluru-Madikeri road is cut off due to landslides. The Mysuru-Madikeri road is also blocked at various places. Police sources said their diesel reserve is fast running out.A gruel centre opened in Madikeri

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