Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The death toll from the devastating landslides in Wayanad has climbed past 400 as of Wednesday, with more than 150 people still unaccounted for. Rescue teams are focusing their search efforts on forested areas in a bid to locate the missing individuals.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Kerala government has decided to involve the families of the missing and local villagers in the search operations. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the effectiveness of the search and rescue missions.
The landslides have wreaked havoc on the region’s agriculture, with the agricultural department reporting the destruction of 310 hectares of land across Chooralmala, Attamala, and Mundakkai. The damage includes 50 hectares of cardamom, 100 hectares of coffee, 70 hectares of pepper, 55 hectares of tea, 10 hectares of coconut, 15 hectares of arecanut, and 10 hectares of banana crops.
Amid the disaster, a significant amount of misinformation has been circulating, particularly regarding the transparency of the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressed these concerns, emphasizing the integrity and electronic management of the CMDRF. He explained that the fund is overseen by the Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, and any utilization of the funds requires the knowledge and approval of the Finance Secretary.
“Spreading such false information during one of the massive disasters the state has ever witnessed is entirely counterproductive,” said Chief Minister Vijayan on Tuesday.
In a show of support, senior Congress leader AK Antony contributed Rs 50,000 to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund on Wednesday. Antony urged all well-meaning individuals in Kerala and beyond to contribute to the relief efforts. “This is not the time to quarrel. Let us cooperate now. No controversy; the Centre should come forward with a package to help Kerala,” he told ANI.
The situation in Wayanad remains dire, but the combined efforts of the government, local communities, and external support offer hope for recovery and relief.
