NEW DELHI: The death toll from the Wayanad landslides surpassed 400 on Wednesday, with over 150 people still missing, according to reports.
The search for those missing after the devastating landslides in Wayanad continues, with rescue teams focusing their efforts today on forested areas.
The Kerala government has also decided to involve the families of the missing and local villagers in the search operations.
According to agricultural department, 310 hectares of agricultural land have been destroyed in the Chooralmala, Attamala, and Mundakkai areas.
Reports suggest that 50 hectares of cardamom, 100 hectares of coffee, 70 hectares of pepper, 55 hectares of tea, 10 hectares of coconut, 15 hectares of arecanut and 10 hectares of banana crops have been washed away.
Fake information circulating
There is a significant amount of misinformation being spread by some individuals, claiming that the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) lacks transparency.
“Spreading such false information during one of the massive disasters the state has ever witnessed is entirely counterproductive,” said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday.
He explained that the CMDRF is managed through an electronic platform and donations are made to an account in the name of and overseen by the Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, a senior IAS officer.
“The contributions to the relief fund are deposited into an account under the supervision of the Finance Secretary. Without the knowledge and seal of the Finance Secretary, funds from the relief fund cannot be utilized,” the CM added.
Congress leader AK Antony contributes Rs 50,000 to CM Disaster Relief Fund
Senior Congress leader AK Antony contributed Rs 50,000 to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund on Wednesday to support the victims of the Wayanad landslides.
“All well-being people of Kerala, and outside the state, I appeal to them to kindly contribute maximum to the Kerala chief minister’s relief fund. In my own humble way, today I am contributing 50,000 rupees to the chief minister’s Relief Fund. This is not the time to quarrel. Let us cooperate now. No controversy; the Centre should come to with a package to help Kerala,” Antony told ANI.