Karnataka Friday informed the Jammu and Kashmir [Images] government that it would immediately despatch relief materials worth Rs 10 crore for the earthquake victims.

Chief Minister N Dharam Singh gave this assurance to Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Raman Mattoo who called on him seeking assistance to provide succour to the affected.

Singh said Mattoo informed him that the devastating earth quake has rendered 1.6 crore people homeless and that his state's immediate need was for tents and tarpaulins to provide shelter to the homeless.

• Tremors across borders 

The chief minister also had a telephonic talk with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and assured him that Karnataka would render all possible assistance to the earthquake victims.

Earlier, speaking to reporters, Mattoo said the J&K government had appealed for help in form of building material, blankets and tents from Karnataka.

The recent snowfall had led to a drop in temperatures, augmenting the need for woollens and materials for setting up shelters.

Though the prime minister had announced a relief of Rs 642 crore, the cost of rehabilitation of those rendered homeless was expected to cross the figure, he said.

Replying to a query on tourism, he said that the inflow of tourists had been over 10 lakh, signalling that the situation in the region had been conducive for tourism. The inflow of tourists during the 45-day Amarnath Yatra and Vaishnodevi temple had also sent out positive signals.