Kerala Bank Waives Loans for Wayanad Landslide Victims

Following the devastating July 30 landslide in Wayanad, Kerala Bank has decided to waive loans for the victims. The bank had earlier donated Rs 50 lakh to the CM's Disaster Relief Fund, with employees contributing their salaries. Both state and central governments continue to provide support for relief efforts.

In response to the catastrophic July 30 landslide in Wayanad district, the Kerala Bank Board announced on Monday its decision to waive off loans for victims who lost their lives and had their mortgaged homes and properties destroyed. This decision was made to alleviate the financial burden on affected families at the bank's Chooralmala branch.

Previously, on July 30, Kerala Bank donated Rs 50 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund to support rescue operations. Further, the bank's employees have committed to contributing five days’ salary to the fund. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for financial aid to rehabilitate those impacted by the disaster and to tackle climate change-related challenges.

During his visit to the affected region, CM Vijayan presented a memorandum to PM Modi outlining the disaster's severity and provided a detailed note. Preliminary estimates suggest losses in the thousands of crores, with a comprehensive damage assessment currently underway. A detailed report will be submitted to the Central Government soon.

In a subsequent review meeting at the Wayanad District Collectorate, PM Modi assured extensive support from the Centre, guaranteeing no delays in relief efforts due to funding shortages. He pledged that the central government would fulfill all requests from the state government.

When the landslides occurred, a Minister of State was immediately dispatched to assess the situation, and teams from the NDRF, Army, and Air Force were deployed for rescue and relief operations. The disaster, the deadliest in the state's history, claimed over 300 lives and destroyed numerous homes and structures.

On Sunday, Kerala Minister PA Mohamed Riyas reported that rescuers recovered additional body parts in the landslide-affected regions. According to the minister, 130 people remain missing following the calamity. (ANI)