Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday visited the flood-hit Kodagu district and assured the people of Indian Army's help in rebuilding the devastated region's roads. "I can assure you that the task force of the Indian Army's Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will visit as consultants and advise the administration on how to build roads in hilly areas," Sitharaman told reporters in Madikeri, about 280km from the state capital Bengaluru.

Due to heavy rains and landslips, several of the district's arterial roads have been battered, disconnecting many villages and towns. The Defence Minister visited Kushalnagar and Madapura in the district, which was severely affected by heavy rains and flash floods last week. She also interacted with few flood-affected people sheltered at a relief camp at Madikeri in the district.