WB Guv Ananda Bose extends support to victims of Wayanad landslides; donates salary for relief activities

New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI): West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose conveyed support to the people affected by the disaster in Kerala and donated his one-month salary for disaster relief activities in the landslide-hit Wayanad district of the state.

Taking to its social media handle on X, Raj Bhavan Media Cell, Kolkata, posted, “Governor CV Ananda Bose donated his one-month salary for disaster relief activities in landslide hit Wayanad, Kerala. HG has expressed the solidarity of the people of Bengal with the victims of the calamity in Kerala while visiting the landslide-affected areas.”

“HG visited the places of mishap, the relief camps, hospitals, and mortuaries, interacted with the victims and next-of-kin of those who lost their lives and coordinated with the members of the NDRF, Army, and other agencies working in the field,” said the post.

“The local officials who were handling the situation briefed the HG and sought his advice on various matters. The timely and proactive steps taken by the government of India have gone down very positively in the minds of people. They made certain requests to the HG to be placed before the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Home Minister. HG assured them that he would do the needful to convey their sentiments to the authorities,” read the post.

The post said that the WB governor is in close coordination with the designated central minister, George Kurian.

“Known for his ground-zero approach, HG has been in the field during many calamities since it’s inception. He has been active during floods and landslides in WB, fire in the multi-storey building in Kolkata city, riots in Howrah, and a and a train accident in Jalpaiguri,” read the post further.

Earlier on Tuesday, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said that the unfortunate incident makes us “introspect” the need to “maintain balance” between man and nature.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy. We will all stand together in this hour of crisis and brave this storm. We pray to God that the departed rest in peace. We wish an early and speedy recovery to the injured. It is said that accidents are not accidental. There is a human factor in that. This is an occasion that makes us deeply introspect the need to maintain the balance between man and nature,” Bose said, speaking to ANI on Tuesday.

After two massive landslides struck Wayanad, Kerala, on Tuesday morning, causing extensive destruction, rescue operations are being intensified, political leaders are engaged in discussions, and financial aid is being mobilised for the region.

The first landslide occurred in Mundakkai, a town, and the second in Chooralmala. The massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region, damaging houses and roads, uprooting trees, and swelling water bodies, which hindered rescue operations. Relief and rescue efforts are currently underway.

The landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala, Wayanad, have resulted in 167 confirmed deaths, as per the Kerala Revenue Department.

According to sources from the Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD) Control Room in Wayanad, 96 victims have been identified, including 77 men, 67 women, and 22 children. Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on 166 bodies and 49 body parts.

A total of 75 bodies have been handed over to relatives. Rescue personnel have brought 219 individuals to hospitals; 78 are still receiving treatment, while 142 have been moved to relief camps.In Wayanad, 73 people are hospitalised, and five in Malappuram.

Amid the rising death toll, the Indian Army has intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after the landslides.