With memories of the 2014 floods still fresh in their minds, scores of volunteers and groups in the Kashmir valley have launched multiple relief exercises for the marooned population in Kerala.
Sehar Iqbal, a volunteer with the Srinagar-based Sajid Iqbal Foundation, told The Hindu that her group is working with a local volunteers’ network in Mananthavady in Kerala to reach out to the affected population of Wayanad and Kodagu.
“These areas are only accessible from Bangalore. We procured 1,500 blankets and sent them on Sunday. Our five volunteers are in Bangalore for procurement, sorting and packing,” said Ms. Iqbal.
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Abdul Hamid, chairman of Rahim Greens, is ready to send the first batch of relief material through Athrout, a relief organisation, which was very active in J&K during the 2014 floods.
Meanwhile, J&K Governor N.N. Vohra on Sunday spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and expressed “sorrow and sympathy”. He promised an assistance of ₹2 crore on behalf of the State government, said an official spokesman, adding that a Kerala Flood Relief Fund was also being set up.
National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah has also announced that he would donate his one month salary to the relief efforts in Kerala.
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“I appeal to my colleagues in the NC and others to remember what we went through in 2014 and do their own bit, however small, to help,” said Mr. Abdullah.
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed concern over the devastating floods. “We pray that this ordeal comes to an end soon,” said the Mirwaiz.