#KeralaFloods: When a mosque became relief camp for Hindu families
What's the story
With a mosque opening its portals to distressed Hindus and Muslims cleaning temples, the murderous monsoon seems to have washed away the barriers of religious differences in the rain-ravaged Kerala. Amid the distress triggered by the floods, a mosque in northern Malappuram, one of the worst-hit districts, has offered shelter to 17 displaced Hindu families, including women, children, and the elderly. Here's more.
Helping hand
People were given space to sleep inside mosque, provided food
The Juma Masjid, located at Akampadam in Chaliyar village, has virtually turned a relief camp since the second spell of rains started to devastate the northern districts on August 8. Cutting across religion and caste, the displaced people were given space to sleep inside the mosque, provided food prepared at its canteen and given rice, pulses, and other essential materials when they returned home.
Returned Home
Hindu families returned home two days ago: Panchayat Chief
"There are 26 families who had sought refuge in the mosque. Though we opened the relief camp at the mosque on August 8, the activities started in full swing only after August 14, following a series of landslides that rocked the district," Chaliyar Village Panchayat Chief PT Usman said. Hindu families returned two days ago as water receded from their submerged homes, Usman said.
Information
231 people lost their lives in Kerala floods
A total of 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents in Kerala since August 8. Nearly 14.50L people from 3.91L families have taken shelter in about 3,879 relief camps across the state.