In the wake of the devastating landslides that struck Wayanad district on July 30, the Kerala Bank has announced a complete loan waiver for families who lost loved ones and for those whose mortgaged homes and properties were destroyed. The decision was made by the bank’s board of directors at the Chooralmala branch, one of the areas severely impacted by the disaster.

The bank has already contributed Rs 50 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund to support ongoing rescue operations, with its employees voluntarily pledging five days’ salary to further aid relief efforts.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been actively seeking financial support for the rehabilitation of those affected by the landslide. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the disaster-stricken region, Vijayan submitted a detailed memorandum outlining the severity of the disaster and the urgent need for federal assistance. He also stressed the role of climate change in exacerbating such calamities in the state.

Preliminary assessments suggest that the damages could amount to thousands of crores. A comprehensive report on the disaster will be submitted to the central government in due course. During a review meeting at the district collectorate in Wayanad, Prime Minister Modi assured that the Centre would provide all necessary support to ensure that relief efforts are not hampered by a lack of funds.

The landslide, described as the deadliest in Kerala’s history, claimed over 300 lives and left many more missing. On Sunday, Kerala Minister PA Mohamed Riyas said that rescuers had recovered additional body parts from the affected areas, with 130 people still reported missing.