India’s flood-ravaged state of Kerala has set up a special cell called “Help for Wayanad” within the state government to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts in the areas affected by the huge disaster.

So far, 219 people are confirmed dead in massive landslides caused by torrential rains in Kerala’s Wayanad district during the ongoing monsoon season.

Of these, 98 are men, 90 are women and 31 are children, it was officially confirmed. More than 200 people are still missing.

The “Help for Wayanad” cell will bring together worldwide offers from Indians abroad to donate land for rehabilitation of displaced people, promises to build relief housing and financial contributions to the State Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, has given special powers to officials of the State’s Finance Department to provide speedy relief to survivors of those killed by landslides and house collapses.

The new cell has created an email account with the address letushelpwayanad@gmail.com inviting suggestions, especially from overseas Indians for relief and rehabilitation in Wayanad. – editor@nrifocus.com