Siddaramiah instructed over the phone to join hands with the Kerala government to provide all necessary assistance including relief works and rescue of the victims.
Published Jul 31, 2024 | 1:13 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 31, 2024 | 10:41 PM
Rescue operations in Wayanad. (X)
As the death toll in Wayanad landslides has climbed to 156 on the morning of Wednesday, 31 July, help from neighbouring states—Karnataka and Tamil Nadu— has reached Kerala.
On the instructions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Labour Minister Santosh Lad has left for flood-affected Wayanad, and is currently in constant touch with the Chief Minister’s office of Kerala State.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister’s Office said Siddaramaiah had spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and expressed concern over the loss of lives adding that Karnataka would provide all assistance.
“Spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Shri @pinarayivijayan today to express my concern over the loss of lives due to the Wayanad landslide. I have assured him that Karnataka will provide all kinds of assistance, including rescue operations, food, water, and medical aid, to those affected by this natural disaster. In this moment of grief, Karnataka stands with Kerala, and I have assured Pinarayi Vijayan that we will face this challenge together,” Siddaramaiah said.
Spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Shri @pinarayivijayan today to express my concern over the loss of lives due to the Wayanad landslide. I have assured him that Karnataka will provide all kinds of assistance, including rescue operations, food, water, and medical aid, to those…
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) July 31, 2024
Siddaramiah instructed Lad over the phone to join hands with the Kerala government to provide all necessary assistance including relief works and rescue of the victims in the flood-affected areas to help protect the lives and health of the people.
He has also instructed to take urgent and rapid measures to rescue Kannadigas caught in the disaster. “All necessary steps are being taken in this regard,” he said.
Lad, informing that he will be reaching Wayanad, wrote on X, that he will be there to help the trapped Kannadigas.
He further mentioned that already four of the deceased have been identified to be from Karnataka.
ಮಾನ್ಯ @CMofKarnataka ಶ್ರೀ @siddaramaiah ಅವರ ಸೂಚನೆಯ ಮೇರೆಗೆ ಕೇರಳದ ವಯನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಭವಿಸಿರುವ ಗುಡ್ಡ ಕುಸಿತದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಲುಕಿರುವ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ರಕ್ಷಣೆಗೆ ತೆರಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.
ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ನಾಲ್ವರು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಮೃತಪಟ್ಟಿರುವುದಾಗಿ ತಿಳಿದು ಬಂದಿದ್ದು, ಇನ್ನೂ ಹಲವರು ಸಿಲುಕಿರುವ, ನಾಪತ್ತೆಯಾಗಿರುವ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಇದೆ. ಅವರೆಲ್ಲರ ರಕ್ಷಣೆಗೆ… pic.twitter.com/TvW13FT674
— Santosh Lad Official (@SantoshSLadINC) July 31, 2024
In an earlier press release, Siddaramaiah said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team in Bengaluru and teams of the Madras Engineer Group (MEG) of the Army have been sent to assist in the rescue and relief efforts in Wayanad.
One officer from MEG, along with two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and 70 personnel of various ranks, have already departed for Wayanad in 15 vehicles carrying rescue and relief supplies, he said, additionally, two more officers, four JCOs, and 100 army personnel equipped with necessary equipment will depart in 40 vehicles.
To facilitate swift movement of these teams and relief material transport vehicles to Wayanad, instructions have been issued to allow unrestricted passage through the Green Corridor at the Bandipur Check Post, he added.
Further, for the coordination of rescue and relief efforts in Wayanad, senior IAS officers PC Jaffer and Dilish Sasi have been deputed, the release said.
The Chamarajanagar district administration has initiated a helpline to assist citizens who frequently travel to Wayanad from the district border. He also shared the Chamarajanagar DC office helpline numbers: 08226-223163, 08226-223161, 08226-223160, and WhatsApp number: 97409 42901.
On Wednesday, he also appealed to the corporate world to contribute generously for the relief and rehabilitation of people hit by massive landslides in Wayanad.
In a message to the corporates, Siddaramaiah exhorted them to help rebuild the affected areas through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
“The scale of the disaster necessitates a coordinated and generous response from all sectors of society, particularly from corporate entities that have always been pillars of support in times of need,” the CM said in his letter.
Search and rescue operations resumed at 7 am, with police, fire force, SDRF, NDRF, armed forces, coast guard, and volunteers braving odds to save as many lives as possible.
A total of 195 people have been taken to hospitals from the disaster site, with 90 still receiving treatment.
Of these, 85 are in hospitals in Wayanad and five in Malappuram.
People from villages next to Mundakayi and Chooralmala are being shifted to safer places through a temporary bridge.
Massive pre-dawn landslides struck Meppadi, Mundakai Town and Chooraalmala between 1 am and 4 am on Tuesday, 30 July.
(With inputs from Nolan Patrik Pinto and PTI.)
