Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that Shruti, a 24-year-old woman from Wayanad who lost her entire family in the devastating Wayanad landslides, will be provided with a government job as part of the state’s support for her recovery. Shruti, who also lost her fiancé in a car accident shortly after the tragedy, will be offered this assistance to help her rebuild her life.
Additionally, CM Vijayan confirmed a financial grant of Rs 7 lakh to the family of Arjun, a Kozhikode native who lost his life in the Shirur landslide. Arjun’s body was recovered two months after the disaster, and the relief comes as part of ongoing efforts to assist the families affected by these natural calamities.
In addressing the broader impact of the Wayanad disaster, Vijayan highlighted the extensive damage and expressed disappointment over the lack of special disaster assistance from the Central government. He stated that while the usual instalments from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) have been released, Kerala had sought an additional Rs 219.2 crore in emergency relief, which has not yet been provided.
He said, "Now, the second instalment of Rs 145.6 crore has been advanced. However, this is part of the usual procedure, not special disaster assistance. The Cabinet has decided to once again urge the Centre to release the necessary aid without delay and bring the matter to their attention."
Furthermore, the state has committed Rs 10 lakh each to six children who lost both parents in the Wayanad landslides and Rs 5 lakh each to eight children who lost one parent. To provide permanent rehabilitation, the government plans to build model townships for affected families at Nedumbala Estate in Meppadi Panchayat and Elstone Estate in Kalpetta Municipality, locations identified as most suitable for resettlement.