The Karnataka government on Saturday pegged the damage inflicted by torrential downpour and subsequent floods in the state at Rs 6,000 crore while the toll from various rain-related incidents stood at 24.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said this was the 'biggest calamity' in the state in 45 years, adding his government had sought Rs 3,000 crore as relief from the Centre. 'We are planning to re-construct houses that were damaged in rains.... Some of the villages have to be rebuilt completely,' he said. 'So far 24 people have died in various rain-related incidents.'

Yediyurappa had on Friday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those killed in the flood and rain related incidents. As an instant relief, the finance department has released Rs 100 crore towards flood relief.

According to an official release, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman would visit areas affected by the floods and rains to assess the prevailing situation, on Saturday.

Besides Belagavi, the affected districts are Bagaklote, Vijayapura, Raichur, Yadgir, Gadag, Uttara Kannada, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu.

Landslides were reported near Maranahalli in Sakaleshpur, said official sources. Vehicles moving towards Dhramastala and Mangaluru were turned back to Sakaleshpur as there are fears of more landslides.

Officials said the civil defence volunteers carried out 36 sorties in the last six hours in three boats and rescued 270 people and 43 cattle.