Assuring they stand united with Kerala in times of distress, the chief ministers' noted that they will overcome the crisis together.
Published Jul 30, 2024 | 3:27 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 30, 2024 | 8:52 PM
Relief operations at Wayanad landslide. (Supplied)
As the death toll in the Wayanad landslides rose to over 80, the Chief Ministers of neighbouring states—Karnataka and Tamil Nadu— Siddaramaiah and MK Stalin promised help in terms of logistics and manpower.
Assuring they stand united with Kerala in times of distress, the chief ministers’ noted that they will overcome the crisis together.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives in landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, 30 July, said Karnataka is committed to providing all possible help to the neighbouring state.
“Deeply saddened by the catastrophic floods in Wayanad. My heart goes out to the affected families. Karnataka is committed to providing all possible help to Kerala in this challenging time. Let’s stand united and strong,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on ‘X’.
Deeply saddened by the catastrophic floods in Wayanad. My heart goes out to the affected families. Karnataka is committed to providing all possible help to Kerala in this challenging time. Let’s stand united and strong.#WayanadFloods
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 30, 2024
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah further stated that all necessary cooperation is being provided for rescue and relief operations in Wayanad, which has been devastated by landslides. He has deputed two IAS officers to coordinate with Kerala state authorities about these operations.
The Chief Minister, currently on a tour in New Delhi, issued a press statement saying that the NDRF team in Bangaluru and teams of the Madras Engineer Group of the Army have been sent to assist in the rescue and relief efforts in Wayanad.
Karnataka’s senior IAS officers deployed to coordinate relief operations in Kerala. Here are the details of the helpline numbers. pic.twitter.com/jI89J2BJhX
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 30, 2024
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressing solidarity with the affected people of Kerala, pledged a financial assistance of ₹5 crore for rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
In a gesture of support, Tamil Nadu is dispatching two teams led by IAS officers—GS Sameeran and Johny Tom Varghese, to aid the relief operations. Additionally, a medical team comprising doctors and nurses, along with a Fire and Rescue Services team, will be sent to assist in the efforts.
The Tamil Nadu team would comprise 20 personnel from the state Fire and Rescue Services, 20 from the state disaster response force and 10 doctors and nurses.
They will work alongside Kerala rescue teams and the chief minister has directed the team to leave immediately for the neighbouring state, the release added.
The Tamil Nadu fire and rescue services personnel will be led by a joint director and the disaster response staff shall be headed by a police superintendent.
Stalin conveyed his support and solidarity in a phone conversation with Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan. He assured that Tamil Nadu stands united with Kerala during this challenging time.
“We will overcome this crisis together!” Stalin said on X, reaffirming the shared commitment to support the affected people.
വയനാട്ടിലെ ഉരുൾപൊട്ടൽ ദുരന്തത്തിൽ ബാധിക്കപ്പെട്ട മലയാളി സഹോദരങ്ങളുടെ ദുഃഖത്തിൽ തമിഴ്നാട് പങ്കുചേരുന്നു.
രക്ഷാപ്രവർത്തനത്തിനും പുനരധിവാസത്തിനുമായി ഞങ്ങൾ 5 കോടി രൂപ നൽകുന്നു. IAS ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരുടെ നേതൃത്വത്തിൽ രണ്ട് സംഘങ്ങളെ സഹായിക്കാൻ അയക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. ഇത് കൂടാതെ, ഞങ്ങൾ ഡോക്ടർമാരും… pic.twitter.com/baFLhoiEUh
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 30, 2024
In a previous post, Stalin noted, “The government of Tamil Nadu is willing to extend any logistical or manpower support that may be needed in this hour of crisis to our brother state Kerala.”
Massive pre-dawn landslides that struck Meppadi, Mundakai Town and Chooraalmala in Kerala’s hilly district of Wayanad between 1 am and 4 am on Tuesday, 30 July are proving to be devastating.
As death toll climbs, over 83 have been declared dead so far.
Local residents said hundreds of people are feared trapped in the debris when the death toll was presumed to be around 8 on Tuesday morning.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said that Fire Force and NDRF teams have been deployed to the affected area, with an additional NDRF team en route to Wayanad.
District authorities said several families have been moved to various camps or homes of their relatives in the wake of the landslides.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from Nitika Shivani)
