8 trucks carrying relief material leave for Wayanad, flood-hit places

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: As many as eight trucks containing necessities left Bengaluru for Wayanad district in Kerala which has been devastated by landslides, apart from flood-affected places in Karnataka. The natural disaster has taken at least 360 lives.

Mepaddi, Mundakkai and Chooramala towns were the worst hit. Belagavi and Kodagu are among the cities some of the trucks will be headed to.

The relief material was gathered by Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and his daughter and former MLA Sowmya Reddy. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was in attendance when the trucks took off from Koramangala in the city.

“In several parts of the country, including Karnataka and especially Wayanad, there have been hardships due to natural disasters. Last year, people were distressed that there had been no rain. This year, there have been cloud bursts. Places in Belagavi, Kodagu and Wayanad, we have witnessed rain damage. In Wayanad, an entire Panchayat town was covered. Our leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and (KC) Venugopal have visited the place. Our government under Siddaramaiah has also offered to build houses under some schemes,” Shivakumar said.

“However, we have also noted that many are still in need. Therefore, Rs 1.35 crore have been gathered under the leadership of Ramalinga Reddy to buy essentials for victims in affected places, including places in Karnataka and Wayanad in Kerala,” he added.