<p>Kerala and Karnataka have been hit by relentless rain for the last two weeks. The situation in Kerala is unprecedented and has impacted life in all the 14 districts of the state. The resultant floods – the worst since 1924 - and series of landslides have rendered thousands of people homeless while lakhs have been evacuated to safer places. Over 4 lakh people are taking shelter in some 1,435 relief camps. Life has been totally thrown out of gear in the entire state. The death toll due to this massive natural disaster has been put at 302 and loss to property at Rs 20,000 crore. Help has poured in from different parts of the country but as the state tries to rebuild and recover from this catastrophe, it needs all the support and more. </p>.<p>Karnataka too has been experiencing heavy showers. Rain, floods and landslides have claimed over 16 lives and caused extensive damage in Kodagu district and adjoining areas of Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru districts. Army has been roped in and rescue operations are continuing. Scores of people have been evacuated and shifted to shelter homes. </p>.<p>Deccan Herald has set up a relief fund for the disaster victims in the two states. We appeal to our readers, schools, colleges, corporates, clubs and associations to contribute generously to this effort. Names of those contributing Rs 1,000 and above will be published in these columns. The contributions are eligible for exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. </p>.<p>Contributions can be made through online transfer (at DECCANHERALD-PRAJAVANI RELIEF TRUST, Canara Bank, Cantonment Branch; A/C NO.0404101200385, IFSC CODE : CNRB0000404) or through cheques or bank drafts, drawn in favour of DeccanHerald-Prajavani Relief Trust (please superscribe the envelope with `DeccanHerald-Prajavani Relief Fund’. </p>.<p>They can be sent to any of our offices at the following addresses: Deccan Herald, 75, M G Road, Bengaluru-560 001; Deccan Herald, 2nd floor, Yenepoya Chambers, Balamatta Post, Mangalore-575 002; Deccan Herald, 363, 1st floor, Srihari Complex, Seethavilas Road, Chamaraj Mohalla, Mysore-570024; Deccan Herald, CTS-17/1B, Opposite Amruth Theatre, Vidyanagar, P B Road, Hubli-580021; and, Deccan Herald, 1-39/2A, Opp Dt Court Complex, Gulbarga-585102.</p>.<p>-Editor</p>
<p>Kerala and Karnataka have been hit by relentless rain for the last two weeks. The situation in Kerala is unprecedented and has impacted life in all the 14 districts of the state. The resultant floods – the worst since 1924 - and series of landslides have rendered thousands of people homeless while lakhs have been evacuated to safer places. Over 4 lakh people are taking shelter in some 1,435 relief camps. Life has been totally thrown out of gear in the entire state. The death toll due to this massive natural disaster has been put at 302 and loss to property at Rs 20,000 crore. Help has poured in from different parts of the country but as the state tries to rebuild and recover from this catastrophe, it needs all the support and more. </p>.<p>Karnataka too has been experiencing heavy showers. Rain, floods and landslides have claimed over 16 lives and caused extensive damage in Kodagu district and adjoining areas of Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru districts. Army has been roped in and rescue operations are continuing. Scores of people have been evacuated and shifted to shelter homes. </p>.<p>Deccan Herald has set up a relief fund for the disaster victims in the two states. We appeal to our readers, schools, colleges, corporates, clubs and associations to contribute generously to this effort. Names of those contributing Rs 1,000 and above will be published in these columns. The contributions are eligible for exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. </p>.<p>Contributions can be made through online transfer (at DECCANHERALD-PRAJAVANI RELIEF TRUST, Canara Bank, Cantonment Branch; A/C NO.0404101200385, IFSC CODE : CNRB0000404) or through cheques or bank drafts, drawn in favour of DeccanHerald-Prajavani Relief Trust (please superscribe the envelope with `DeccanHerald-Prajavani Relief Fund’. </p>.<p>They can be sent to any of our offices at the following addresses: Deccan Herald, 75, M G Road, Bengaluru-560 001; Deccan Herald, 2nd floor, Yenepoya Chambers, Balamatta Post, Mangalore-575 002; Deccan Herald, 363, 1st floor, Srihari Complex, Seethavilas Road, Chamaraj Mohalla, Mysore-570024; Deccan Herald, CTS-17/1B, Opposite Amruth Theatre, Vidyanagar, P B Road, Hubli-580021; and, Deccan Herald, 1-39/2A, Opp Dt Court Complex, Gulbarga-585102.</p>.<p>-Editor</p>