Kerala Blasters FC launches ‘Goal for Wayanad’ Campaign and additionally donates Rs. 25 lakhs to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) …reports Asian Lite News
In a gesture of support for families affected by the devastating natural disaster in Wayanad, Kerala Blasters FC has launched the ‘Goal for Wayanad’ campaign and additionally donated Rs. 25 lakhs to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).
Through the ‘Goal for Wayanad’ campaign, the Club plans to further contribute Rs 1 lakh for every goal scored in the upcoming Indian Super League Season 11 to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF), as part of the club’s continued efforts to contribute towards disaster relief and rehabilitation. This campaign and donation are in addition to the Rs. 1.25 Crore already contributed by the co-owners of Kerala Blasters FC.
Nimmagadda Prasad, Chairman, KBFC, along with Nikhil B. Nimmagadda, Director, KBFC, and Shushen Vashishth, Chief Operating Officer, KBFC, met with the Hon. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and handed over a cheque of Rs 25 lakhs. They also presented the Chief Minister with a KBFC jersey and extended an invitation for the upcoming season.
“We at Kerala Blasters FC have always prioritised the well-being of our community and remain dedicated to supporting the state during challenging times. These initiatives aim to motivate the football community to unite for a meaningful cause,” said Nikhil B. Nimmagadda.
Previously, during the Covid-19 period, the Club donated 500,000 Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate 200mg tablets to support frontline workers and provided 10,000 N95 masks to the Government of Kerala. The Club also set up ‘Relief Material Collection Centres’ at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor, Panampilly Nagar, and the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium to aid flood relief efforts in 2018, besides significant contributions to the CMDRF.
Imphal, Jul 8 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference, in Imphal on Monday. (ANI Photo)
The Congress leader emphasised other areas regarding relief efforts that need focus, including poor interdepartmental coordination…reports Asian Lite news
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi discussed the relief efforts for the landslide in Wayanad and the need to revitalise tourism in the area, during a conversation with local Congress leaders on Sunday.
“Wayanad is steadily recovering from the devastation caused by the tragic landslides. While there is still much to be done, it is heartening to witness people from all communities and organisations coming together in relief efforts.” LoP Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.
During the conversation, he mentioned the need to revitalise tourism in the area to aid the people of Wayanad. “There is one crucial aspect I wish to highlight that will greatly aid the people of Wayanad–tourism. Once the rains cease, it is imperative that we make a concerted effort to revitalise tourism in the area and encourage people to visit.”, the post read.
He further highlighted that the landslide was localised to a specific area and not the entire region, but the perception of people outside is that the whole area is dangerous. Also saying that Wayanad remains a stunning destination, it will soon be ready to welcome tourists across India, “It is important to note that the landslide was localised to a specific area in Wayanad, not the entire region. Wayanad remains a stunning destination and will soon be ready to welcome tourists from across India and the world with all its natural charm.”, the post added.
The Congress leader also emphasised other areas regarding relief efforts that need focus, including poor interdepartmental coordination, inadequate compensation, and the loss of livelihood, among other things.
“As far as I know, there are four or five things which we need to put pressure on. One is poor interdepartmental coordination in relief and rehabilitation, second is inadequate compensation, third is the rent issue that I raised, then many people have lost livelihoods, including vehicles and plantations, and finally the impact of tourism,” he said during the conversation.
The landslides that killed hundreds of people in Kerala’s Wayanad were triggered by a burst of rainfall that was made about 10 per cent heavier by human-caused climate change, a study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) has found. (ANI)
The Kerala government has sought a Rs 2,000 crore relief package from the Centre for the unprecedented devastation that occurred in Wayanad recently and is hopeful of getting “good assistance”, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
He also dismissed as “not pragmatic” the recommendations made by the Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees on ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats, saying the panels did not consider the societal expectations and ground realities in his state.
The chief minister said the state government has decided to construct new townships for the families of the victims and the survivors of the unprecedented devastation “within a year” and these dwellings would be “climate-resilient and sustainable”.
Vijayan said the state sought a disaster relief package of about Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre when he recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.
The PM was “very positive” on the issue and the state was hopeful of getting “good assistance” from the Union government, he added.
The chief minister said the funds were expected to be released after a central team submitted a report to the Union government.
Vijayan added that categorising the Wayanad landslides as a “national or severe calamity” would enable all parliamentarians to donate Rs 1 crore each to the Kerala relief fund, otherwise only the local MPs will be able to do so.
“If this disaster is included in that (national or severe calamity) category, we will get good assistance. It will create a good atmosphere for reconstruction,” he told the news agency.
The 79-year-old veteran Marxist politician said the July 30 disaster that wiped off large tracts of three villages — Punchirimattam, Chooralmala and Mundakkai — apart from some areas of Attamala in Wayanad has “shaken the lives of our people, leaving those affected with unimaginable trauma and concerns about their future”.
“The recent landslide in Chooralmala village has caused unprecedented devastation. I would like to assure that our government’s primary objective is to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation package to the survivors.
“We are committed to providing the best possible rehabilitation package to the survivors, in line with the Kerala model of development with its people-centric approach,” he said.
Vijayan recently said during an all-party meeting that the Wayanad survivors would be housed in one or two townships which will have single-storey houses of about 1,000 square feet in size with the option to expand to two storeys in the future.
“Our priority is to ensure that families who lost their homes in the landslides have a safe and secure place to reside. The construction of the townships is expected to be completed within a year,” he said.
On the recommendations made by the Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees on handling the fragile and ecologically sensitive areas along the Western Ghats, Vijayan said these reports were “not fully accepted by the entities that commissioned them.”
This highlights the fact, he said, that “much of the recommendations in these reports were not pragmatic and did not consider societal aspirations and ground realities”.
“At least some parts of the reports did not consider humans dwelling in ecologically fragile zones for centuries as part of the ecosystem,” the chief minister added.
He also underlined that “small and marginal” farmers cannot be equated with rich realtors, planters or miners occupying similar terrains.
“There was no such differentiation in these reports, which is why many states were forced to completely disregard them,” Vijayan said.
With numerous bodies that are unidentified, anxious relatives and friends continue to crowd at hospitals where the bodies are brought and kept…reports Asian Lite News
Rescue operations entered the seventh day on Monday when the toll in Kerala’s worst natural calamity touched 387, while180 people still missing after the massive landslides and floods in Wayanad last week.
The over 1,500-strong rescue team comprising personnel from all three defence forces, NDRF, SDRF, police, fire service and volunteers began searches early on Monday morning in the four worst-affected areas of Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Punchirimadom.
With numerous bodies that are unidentified, anxious relatives and friends continue to crowd at hospitals where the bodies are brought and kept.
To make the situation more grim and distressful, a significant number of dismembered body parts have also been recovered from the debris and authorities are doing DNA tests on them.
There are around 100 relief camps in which close to 9,500 people have been relocated.
As many as 81 people are admitted to various hospitals in the district.
A Cabinet sub-committee of four state ministers is overseeing the rescue and relief operations.
Meanwhile, the call given by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has evoked a huge response as contributions are pouring into the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund.
Wayanad, Aug 03 (ANI): A view of the temporary Bailey Bridge in the landslide-affected Chooralmala of Wayanad district, on Saturday. (ANI Photo)
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said the rescue mission in the landslide-hit areas is in its final stages…reports Asian Lite News
Five days on, the search and rescue personnel continued their mission, looking for people stranded amid huge piles of debris and collapsed buildings following the devastating landslides that shook Wayanad. Even as 206 people are still missing, the chances of finding more survivors seem to be remote with the rescue operations entering the final phase.
On Saturday, search teams recovered four bodies from Chooralmala and Mundakkai villages. Three bodies and 13 body parts were found in Chaliyar river at Munderi in Malappuram on the day. Even as official records show the number of deceased as 218, the toll in the landslides is estimated to have crossed 300.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said the rescue mission in the landslide-hit areas is in its final stages. Stating that 206 people are still missing, Pinarayi said the authorities and relatives of the victims are finding it difficult to identify the bodies and body parts recovered from the Chaliyar river.
On Saturday, the Indian Air Force deployed helicopters for aerial sorties to find survivors and people stranded in the affected areas. They airlifted two rescue workers stranded at Soochippara waterfalls.
The Army on Saturday brought in one Xaver Radar and four Recco Radars, along with operators, from Delhi to identify human presence under the debris. The move followed a request from the state government. The defence forces and other rescue personnel conducted search at six locations on the day. However, fatigue seemed to be catching up with the volunteers involved in the rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the district administration brought in 37 excavators, which were used to dig up sand on the river bed. As many as 11 trained sniffer dogs of the Army, Kerala Police and Tamil Nadu Fire Force are also helping in identifying the possible presence of bodies under the debris.
Almost all locations along the 12-km stretch of the river from Punjirimattom to Chooralmala have been searched. The rescue teams are of the opinion that the chances of more recoveries are grim. The search is now concentrated on the river bed, and the excavators were found digging deep at Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Vellarimala village office area and Vellarmala vocational HSS area. It seems the search may be completed in a couple of days.
Volunteers and relatives of those missing in landslides wait outside the family health centre at Meppadi, where the bodies of the deceased are brought to
“There is nothing left, only the river flows” says Thankachan, Landslide survivor
The Army and Fire and Rescue Services personnel conducted extensive search under the trees that piled up behind the Vellarimala village office, where the river takes a winding curve, over the past two days. As many as 56 bodies were recovered from the area so far.
“My house which was located on the banks of the river at Vellarimala was completely submerged. As my wife is a heart patient, I had sent her to a relative’s house on Monday. I was staying with my grandson in the house. In the evening, neighbours said all people are shifting from the area as the the water level in the river was rising. Water had entered our house in the 2018 floods,” said Beerankutty, an elderly resident of Vellarimala.
“Around 8pm, I went to my daughter’s house at Thannilodu. At 2am on Tuesday, my friends at Chooralmala informed me that the house has been submerged. I came to the area in the evening, but was shocked to find that huge trees had piled up over the house,” he said. Actor Mohanlal, who is a Lieutenant Colonel of the 122 Infantry Battalion which is involved in the search operations, visited the affected areas on Saturday. He congratulated the forces for their dedicated work. He visited Punjirimattom, Mundakkai and Chooralmala and interacted with the rescue teams. He said the Viswa Shanti Foundation launched in the name of his parents will donate `3 crore for the renovation of Mundakkai LP School.
Dismissing rumours that the rescue operation is slowing down, Fire and Rescue Services regional fire officer Renjith said the teams are continuing their search at 13 locations. “The fire station in Kalpetta got information about the landslide at 1.30am on Tuesday, and two teams from Kalpetta and Sultan Bathery rushed to the spot immediately. Later, more teams from Kozhikode joined. On Tuesday morning, we used extension ladders to build a temporary bridge across the river and rescued 400 people stranded in Mundakkai. We also used rope rescue technique to save 50 others,” he said, detailing their efforts.
The rescue workers said the arrival of 11 sniffer digs have helped identify bodies caught under the debris. The dogs identified 15 bodies at Mundakkai alone. From Sunday, the authorities are planning to search for bodies under the huge sand mounds formed in the river.
Minister George said that 195 bodies and 113 body parts have been recovered so far….reports Asian Lite News
Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday confirmed 308 deaths in the multiple landslides that hit Wayanad on July 30.
The rescue and relief operations are underway in Chooralmala and Mundakkai in the Meppadi region where the landslides wreaked havoc.
Minister George said that 195 bodies and 113 body parts have been recovered so far.
The Indian Army earlier today handed over the 190-feet Bailey Bridge to the civil administration which was built over the Iruvanjippuzha river connecting the regions Chooralmala and Mundakkai, isolated by the landslides.
A Defence statement said that high earth movement equipment was shifted to the other side and vehicle movement was being regulated by the civil administration.
The personnel also held a meeting at Wayanad District Collector’s office. The officials said that search operations by relief teams along with dog squads started at 7 am today. This includes 10 teams comprising 30 members each formed from Armed Forces personnel including Police.
The affected area has been divided into six zones based on accessibility and prospects of recovery of missing persons, namely Zone 1 -Punchirimattom region, Zone 2 – Mundekkai region, Zone 3 – School area, Zone 4 – Chooralmala town area, Zone 5 – Village area and Zone 6 – Downstream.
The rescue and relief operations coordinated by the Army, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration are underway at multiple locations, ensuring quick evacuation of stranded people, and provision of basic amenities and medical assistance.
Former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi visited the affected sites on Thursday. They also met the people in shelter camps in Wayanad. The Congress leaders continue to stay in Wayanad on Friday.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting in Wayanad to take stock of the situation. He said that rescue will be the main priority and that rehabilitation will be done at the earliest.
The Chief Minister’s appeal for contributions to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) has garnered significant support. Through campaign drives, donations are pouring in from different quarters to aid the affected areas.
The campaign focuses on mobilizing contributions from residents and businesses. Organizers hope to gather a significant amount through these efforts. Despite the negative propaganda against the relief fund, this initiative aims to reinforce the public’s trust and ensure the fund’s effectiveness. (ANI)
Many people were searching for their relatives and the estimate is said to be around 200….reports Asian Lite News
Wayanad, July 31 (IANS) The death toll in the landslide-affected Kerala’s Wayanad mounted to 176 on Wednesday even as the Army, Navy and Air Force were engaged in rescue operations and setting up infrastructure, including bridges.
The number of missing people as per the officials was 98. However, many people were searching for their relatives and the estimate is said to be around 200.
The worst affected areas include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu. The locals from these areas who managed to escape are deeply shattered by the extent of the devastation.
Heavy rain at a few places hampered the rescue operations.
On Wednesday fresh forces arrived, including Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the PARA Regiment Training Centre, and his team. The team reached the affected site and took charge of the Control Centre at Mepaddi which is about 12 km from Churalmala, one of the worst affected sites.
Four Relief Columns of the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre & 122 TA Battalion (MADRAS) began their operations at 6 a.m. They were divided into two composite teams for joint rescue and extrication of dead bodies and for assistance in setting up the Bailey Bridge at Churalmala.
Another two Columns, including a medical team of the 91 Infantry Battalion landed at Kozhikode late Tuesday night and reached the affected areas. The team is led by CO 23 Maratha Light Infantry.
The Engineering Task Force of Madras Engineer Group, Bangalore & C (01 Officer, 02 JCOs & 120 Soldiers) have already reached Churalmala. Equipment to set up a 170-foot bridge is being planned at Churalmala, while a second set of bridge equipment columns along with bailey pier parts is likely to reach by afternoon.
The Commandant, MEG Centre will be overseeing the critical bridge activity and will arrive later in the day.
Another set of Bailey Bridge from ESD Delhi Cantonment is being airlifted for Kannur by the C-17 Globemaster. The operation will be coordinated by Captain Puran Singh of the Kannur Defence Security Corps (DSC).
Bridge construction materials will be brought to Wayanad in 17 trucks.
Bridge equipment along with three sniffer dogs and handlers from Delhi has landed in Kannur and is on its way to the affected areas.
The combined defence forces team on Tuesday rescued over 1,000 people and 70 dead bodies recovered by the armed forces last night.
