Wayanad landslides: Relief, support pour in for Kerala as death toll crosses 270

Support has started pouring in for Kerala as the death toll has crossed 276. The Army has rescued around 1,000 people and over 220 people are still missing on day 3 of the rescue operations. Politicians, industrialists, corporate sector, celebrities and others have stepped forward in response to the devastating flash floods and landslides that have struck Kerala’s Wayanad.

Industrialist Gautam Adani, Kalyan Jewellers’ Managing Director TS Kalyanaraman, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, and political parties AIADMK and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) are among the ones who have come forward with financial support for the disaster hit state.

Early on Tuesday around 2 am and 4 am respectively, two massive landslides hit Kerala, due to which Mundakkai and Chooramala areas under the Vellarimala village of the Meppadi Panchayat have been swept away claiming around 276 lives so far and causing fatal injuries to over a 200 people. As per reports over 240 people are still missing.

Gautam Adani donates Rs 5 crore

Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani expressed his condolences for the lives lost in the Wayanad landslide and offered a financial assistance of Rs 5 crore to support relief efforts in Kerala.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Wayanad. My heart goes out to the affected families. The Adani Group stands in solidarity with Kerala during this difficult time. We humbly extend our support with a contribution of Rs 5 Cr to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund,” Adani posted on social media platform X.

West Bengal Governor donates a month’s salary

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, who is currently in his home state Kerala to oversee rescue efforts and treatment of the injured, on Wednesday announced that he will donate a month’s salary to disaster relief activities for Wayanad as per sources from Raj Bhavan, Kolkata.

The Governor has expressed solidarity of the people of Bengal with the victims of the calamity in Wayanad during his visit to the affected areas. He visited the landslide-hit places, relief camps, hospitals, and mortuaries, interacting with the victims and relatives of the deceased in Tuesday’s disaster.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister donates Rs 5 crore

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced an assistance of Rs 5 crore from the CM’s Public Relief Fund to the Kerala government for the landslide hit Wayanad district. Mr. Stalin also spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday and extended all support. Meanwhile, a team from Tamil Nadu joined the relief operations in the disaster-hit Wayanad district.

Donation from AIADMK and TNCC

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai, have, on behalf of their parties, announced financial assistance of Rs 1 crore each towards the relief efforts in Kerala. AIADMK has also announced that it will send relief materials to Kerala.

The AIADMK General Secretary conveyed his deepest condolences to the families affected by the landslide and appealed to the union government to take up rescue operations on a war footing.

TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai expressed his condolence and stated that the party has assembled an 80-member team to carry out rescue and relief operations in the rain-affected areas.

Kalyan Jewellers’ MD pledges Rs 5 crore

TS Kalyanaraman, Managing Director of Kalyan Jewellers, has pledged Rs. 5 crores to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). This contribution from the jewellery retail chain headquartered in Thrissur aims to provide much-needed support to the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad.

“As a company with roots in Kerala, it is heart-wrenching to see our fellow Keralites suffering due to these unexpected landslides and floods. The devastation in Wayanad has not only claimed numerous lives but also displaced families, destroyed homes, and disrupted livelihoods. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected during this challenging time. Kerala is our home and we are committed to standing with our people and contributing to the relief efforts. This is a small token of our solidarity and support to providing immediate assistance, and we are prepared to do more if the need arises,” expressed Mr Kalyanaraman in an official statement.

Actress Rashmika Mandanna donates Rs 10 lakh

Indian film actress Rashmika Mandanna has donated Rs 10 lakh to the CMO Kerala relief fund in the aftermath of the landslides in Wayanad.

Kerala helpline numbers

The Kerala government has declared an official state mourning. The Indian Army has reportedly constructed a bridge at Mundakkai to accelerate the rescue efforts. CM Vijayan also noted that 45 relief camps have been established in Wayanad, providing shelter to more than 3,000 displaced individuals.

Meanwhile, Kerala government’s Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD) has opened district and state-level media control rooms. The helpline number to reach the control room is, 0483-2734387. To contact the state-level control room, located at the Secretariat, dial 0471-2327628 or 2518637, said the Department of Information and Public Relations.

For the people who need emergency assistance, the Health Department has established a control room and provided two helpline numbers: 9656938689 and 8086010833.