Two landslides triggered by intense rainfall in Wayanad district, a region in the southern Indian state of Kerala, have resulted in over 350 fatalities. Approximately 1,500 survivors were rescued, but more than 200 people remain missing as of Saturday evening, according to local media reports. Additionally, over 500 injured residents were admitted to hospitals, with more than 200 subsequently discharged. The landslides have also left thousands homeless.
On Saturday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced plans to establish a township in a secure area to rehabilitate those displaced by the catastrophic landslides. However, many of the homeless are still residing in various relief camps.
In response to the crisis, volunteers from the Rain Support UAE WhatsApp group launched the “Support Wayanad: Relocate Homeless” project. A website named Support Wayanad was unveiled in Dubai on Saturday to coordinate the temporary relocation of landslide victims living in relief camps.
“Through this website, Indian expats and local residents in Kerala can provide details of their vacant homes, resorts, outhouses, and other properties where they can temporarily accommodate these people until they get their permanent houses,” said Muneer Al Wafaa, who initiated the project. He noted that the Support Wayanad project would be executed under the direct supervision of the Kerala state government.
People willing to rehome the landslide victims can provide details of their vacant properties through the website, specifying how many people can be accommodated and for how long.
Muneer assured that his IT company would ensure no breach of data while the government would ensure that rehomed victims comply with the terms and conditions of staying in and leaving the temporarily occupied houses.
