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Wayanad landslides: Malayalam actors join hands in relief works, appeal for help

Meanwhile, the Tamil film fraternity condoled the deaths and extended its solidarity to the people of Kerala.

South First Desk

Published Aug 01, 2024 | 12:08 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 11, 2024 | 7:53 PM

Wayanad landslides: Malayalam actors join hands in relief operations

Malayalam actors join hands in landslide relief operations in Wayanad. (X)

The Malayalam actors have joined hands to help the people affected by the deadly landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad. Over 200 people lost their lives because of the landslides and thousands became homeless.

Actor Nikhila Vimal joined the volunteers in the distress relief operations. A video of her helping the other volunteers pack and dispatch the essentials for the landslide victims went viral on social media.

Netizens applauded the actor’s initiative and dedication to helping people in need.

Similarly, Malayalam-Tamil actor Malavika Mohanan took to X to convey that she’s helping remotely with the relief activities with the help of her family and friends based in Wayanad.

Actor Basil Joseph, who hails from Wayanad, appealed to the people of Kerala in a video message to help the victims by contributing to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.

Similarly, actor Saiju Kurup extended his solidarity with the people of Wayanad through his social media handles and asked people to contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund.

Malayalam actors Mohanlal, Mammootty, Manju Warrier, Asif Ali, Tovino Thomas, and Shine Tom Chacko appealed to the people to be cautious and reach out to the landslide victims in every possible way.

Mammootty donated ₹25 lakh to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund to help the victims of Wayanad landslides. He told the media that this was the first instalment and he would release more amount later.

“For now, I have made a modest contribution towards the relief efforts. I will contribute more if the need arises. These are people just like us, and they need our help. Their lives drastically altered in a matter of two days. So, it is our responsibility to help them,” he added.

Meanwhile, his actor-distributor-son Dulquer Salmaan contributed ₹15 lakh to the Relief Fund. Fahadh Faasil and Nazriya Nazim gave away ₹25 lakh. Mohanlal and Tovino Thomas, too, donated ₹25 lakh each to the Relief Fund.

On 31 July, district authorities in Wayanad, Kerala, began gathering data on the number of missing individuals following the landslide. Rescue operations continued to locate those believed to be trapped, with helicopters being used to airlift the injured from the affected areas.

The Kerala Government declared 30 and 31 July as days of mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. The Kerala Government has also set up two control rooms to handle distress calls from citizens: 9656938689 and 8086010833.

Also Read: Cries of sorrow echoes in hospitals following the landslides that wiped away a part of Wayanad

Tamil film fraternity extends its solidarity

Meanwhile, the Tamil film fraternity extended its solidarity with the victims of Kerala landslides and the people.

Actor Vikram contributed ₹20 lakh to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund towards helping the landslide victims. Vikram’s publicist Yuvaraj confirmed this on X.

Vikram visited Kerala recently to promote his upcoming release Thangalaan. The film was planned for release in Malayalam, too.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that Jyotika, Suriya, and Karthi collectively donated ₹50 lakh to the Relief Fund. In an X post, Suriya offered his prayers to those affected by the landslides and extended his respect to those who were on the field.

Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan condoled the tragedy in Kerala’s hill district of Wayanad.

“The disasters caused by the landslides in Wayanad and Valparai of Kerala make my heart flutter. My deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, homes and belongings. Natural disasters have become a regular occurrence due to climate change. We all must act collectively to understand the impact of this (sic),” Kamal Haasan wrote on X.

In his X post, star hero Vijay requested the Kerala government to do the needful to the landslide victims.

Producer SR Prabhu appealed to everyone to stand with the people of Kerala in these difficult times.

Meanwhile, Rashmika Mandanna, who predominantly appears in Kannada and Telugu films, is learnt to have donated ₹10 lakh to the Relief Fund.

Actor-director couple Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan also donated ₹25 lakh to the Kerala CM’s Distress Relief Fund.

Allu Arjun announced he will donate ₹25 lakh to the Kerala CM Relief Fund, expressing deep sadness and solidarity with those affected.

Meanwhile, Megastar Chiranjeevi and his son Ram Charan pledged ₹1 crore to aid victims of the Wayanad landslides. The Telugu superstar also posted on X, conveying his anguish over the loss of life caused by the disaster.

Similarly, actor Samyuktha, who predominantly appears in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam movies, donated a cheque to Viswasanthi Foundation. Founded by Mohanlal, the NGO is working on relief and rehabilitation works in the landslide-hit Wayanad region.

Samyuktha wrote in her Instagram story: “It deeply pains me to witness the calamity that has devastated the lives and livelihoods of our beloved people at Wayanad. I stand in solidarity with them and as a first step in extending my support, I am contributing to the Viswasanthi Foundation for the noble work they are undertaking at Wayanad. I urge everyone to join this cause. Let’s donate to Wayanad and offer our prayers and support to those in need.”

Kalki 2898 AD star Prabhas donated a whopping ₹2 crore to the relief fund and extended his solidarity with the people who were affected by the Wayanad landslides.

On 9 August, a few actors from the Tamil film industry, including Khushbu Sundar, Suhasini, Meena, and Lissy Lakshmi, personally handed over a cheque of ₹1 crore to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Further, actor Dhanush contributed a sum of ₹25 lakh to help the victims of the Wayanad landslide. Subramaniam Shiva, who directed the actor in Thiruda Thirudi (2003) and Seedan (2011) recently announced the news on X.

 (Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)

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