Wayanad landslides claim at least nine lives from Karnataka
Wayanad: Over 155 people have lost their lives, and scores are injured in the horrific multiple landslides that hit the northern Kerala district of Wayanad in the early hours of Tuesday. At least nine people from Karnataka have been killed in the calamity caused by relentless monsoon rains.
Among the deceased from Karnataka, four are from Chamarajanagar district, including a couple – Rajendra (50) and Rathnamma (45) – whose bodies have not been found yet. The other deceased are Puttasiddi (62) and Rani (50). Rani's husband and nephew are missing. Additionally, five people deceased from Mandya district are Leelavathi and her grandson Nihal (26) from K R Pete taluk, Savithri (54), Achchu, and Sri Kutti from Malavalli. Gundlupet Tahsildar Ramesh Babu, currently in Wayanad, has confirmed the news, as reported by the Deccan Herald.
The Chamarajanagar district administration has requested residents to alert officials if their family members, relatives, or friends are missing in the landslides at Wayanad. A 24/7 helpline has been set up for assistance. The toll-free numbers are 08226-223161, 223163, and 223160 with a WhatsApp number at 9740942901.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promised to provide all possible help for relief efforts and stated that the Karnataka government is in constant touch with the disaster management authorities of Kerala. He has deputed two senior IAS officers, PC Jaffer and Dileesh Sasi, to coordinate with the Kerala authorities regarding the rescue and relief operations. Additionally, he has requested the corporate world to contribute generously to the relief and rehabilitation of people affected by this natural disaster.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
