By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, July 31: Tibetan Buddhist leaderHis Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed sadness over the loss of life, injuries, the devastation of property, and the general hardship that so many people are facing as a result of landslides in the Wayanad region of Kerala.
In a letter written to Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala on Wednesday, he wrote, “I offer my condolences to you and send my prayers to the families who have lost loved ones and to everyone affected by this disaster.
“I am happy to know that the State Government and all concerned agencies are working to provide rescue and relief to affected people. As a gesture of my solidarity with the people of Kerala, I have asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation towards the relief and rescue efforts.”
Landslides triggered by relentless monsoon rains struck tea plantations in the district of Wayanad at about 2 am on Tuesday, as heavy rain collapsed hillsides and triggered torrents of mud, water and tumbling boulders. The landslides cut off at least four villages in the district, with rescue efforts hampered by continued rains and blocked roads. Most of the victims were tea estate workers and their families who were asleep in makeshift shelters.
Members of several families have reported that their loved ones remain untraceable. In Wayanad, 45 relief camps have been established, accommodating 3,069 people. Meanwhile, various rescue agencies resumed their operations early this morning to trace people suspected to be trapped in the tragedy, which has killed at least 150 people and left 197 injured.
PM Modi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) expressing anguish at the tragedy “Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there.”
