Bangalore: With rains relenting, the flood situation in northern and coastal regions of Karnataka that claimed 168 lives, improved considerably today.

The administration heaved a sigh of relief after the rains subsided last evening.

“Death toll appears to have stabilised,” a Revenue Department official said.

About 1.78 crore people in 15 districts have been affected by the torrential rains triggered by cyclonic weather conditions.

Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said the damage to crop and public and private property has been unprecedented and would exceed Rs20,000 crore.

Considering the magnitude of the tragedy and enormous damage to infrastructure and property, he has urged the Centre to term the devastation as a ‘National Calamity´ and release relief under National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) to the extent of Rs10,000 crore.

More than two lakh houses in 15 districts have either collapsed or damaged. Agricultural crops in these districts have been completely lost and the road network and power installation have been badly damaged. The damage assessment is under progress, officials said.

Karnataka Government has appealed to the philanthropic public, including industrialists and businessmen, to donate liberally to undertake rescue and relief operations.