Bengalureans unite to help Wayanad landslide victims

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Amidst the gloom after a massive landslide killed people and destroyed homes in around 15,000 square kilometres, Bengalureans are doing their bit to make the situation less painful for the victims by sending across essentials to those affected in Wayanad, Kerala.

In the wee hours of July 31, in the midst of heavy rainfall, multiple landslides hit the villages of Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad district in Kerala, reportedly killing over 300 people with over 200 missing.

Various establishments, individuals and educational institutions have been receiving donations from citizens. Minhab, who hails from Wayanad and runs a cafe at Madiwala, is one of them.

''A few Bengalureans, including myself, have been doing this since the devatating 2018 floods in Kerala,” he explained.

“It was heartening to see people contributing their bit despite not being able to make it to the drop points, via mobile applications,” Minhab told this daily, adding that they have received around 3 tonnes of material from more than 300 people. Most of these, he says, are processed foods.

“Wayanad is home to around 70 per cent workers, and this landslide has devastated them,” Minhab added.

The relief material from Bengaluru mostly comprise new clothes, sanitary pads, bedding and toiletries. Shameer Mohammed, member of the Ideal Relief Wing (IRW), based in Bengaluru, explained to News Trail about their plans to offer housing to those affected.

“Around 300 houses have been washed away due to the floods. We are planning to collect Rs 1 crore in Bengaluru, to fund construction of houses for those affected. Land for the same will be identified soon,'' Mohammed told News Trail.