All kinds of humanitarian assistance being provided to landslide-hit Kerala, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 30 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday that all kinds of humanitarian assistance are being provided for rescue and relief operations in Wayanad district of Kerala, which has been hit by landslides caused by heavy rains.

He also said that two senior IAS officers have been deployed to coordinate relief operations in Kerala. “Also, a helpline has been opened in the office of the District Collector of Chamaraja Nagar, Gadizilla.”

The Kerala Revenue Minister’s office informed that the death toll has increased to 84 in the Wayanad landslide incident and a total of 116 injuries have been reported so far.

Taking to X, CM Siddaramaiah said, “A lot of people have died due to landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad today. I feel it is our duty to help each other when natural calamities occur in any part of the country.”

CM Siddaramaiah added, “All kinds of humanitarian assistance is being provided for rescue and relief operations in Wayanad, which has been rocked by landslides. The NDRF team in Bangalore and the Madras Engineer Group of the army were quickly dispatched to help rescue the victims. Along with these teams, assistance has been provided to transport essential equipment and relief materials.”

He said that instructions have been given to allow the unrestricted movement of NDRF and Army teams and vehicles transporting relief materials through the Green Corridor at the Bandipur checkpoint to enable the rescue teams to reach Wayanad as the earliest.

“The state government is in constant touch with the disaster management officials of the Kerala government and is providing necessary assistance,” he said.

“The public works department will provide facilities like JCBs, cranesand other heavy vehicles required by the state for the clearance of waste caused by landslides,” added CM Siddaramaiah.

He also said that the Chamarajanagar district administration has also started a helpline for citizens who frequently travel to Wayanad from the district border.

“Chamaraja Nagar Collector Office Helpline Numbers: 08226-223163 08226-223161 08226-223160 Whatsapp Number: 9740942901 Initial information about Kannadigars being stuck in Wayanad has been received and maximum efforts are being made to rescue them,” he added.

The Karnataka CM has also issued some instructions to the authorities in view of the incessant rains in the neighbouring state of Kerala.

“The authorities concerned have been instructed to keep a constant check on the water level of the reservoirs and take necessary measures for flood control,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government has declared official mourning in the state on Tuesday and Wednesday after 84 people lost their lives in a landslide incident in Wayanad.