Leader of Opposition party in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi , on Thursday headed to Wayanad to take a look of the situation in Kerala that was caused by devastating landslides in which death number has risen to 167 and more than 100 people were still missing.
The first landslide occurred in Mundakkai, a town, and the second in Chooralmala. The massive landslides effected the region, damaging houses and roads, uprooting trees, and swelling water bodies, which hindered rescue operations. Relief and rescue efforts are currently struggling in the rescue operation.
On August 1, 2024 it is confirmed that the landslides, caused by severe rainfall, have resulted in at least 277 deaths and over 200 injuries, with the rate expected to rise as more victims are discovered.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were scheduled to visit the landslide area on Wednesday morning. But the authorities informed them that there would not be able to land due to heavy rainfall and bad whether condition.
Rahul Gandhi assured to the people of wayanad that they will visit the affected area and the families affected by the landslide as soon as possible.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is also in Wayanad today to take stock of the situation and to discuss the rehabilitation plans that will be charted out for the affected villages.
The landslides, which affected various hilly areas near meppadi in wayanad district, have left massive destructions in the area. Over 1200 rescue workers from the Indian army, DSC centre, territorial army, NDRF, Indian Navy and the IAF have been appointed for the rescue operation.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the mountain area district of Wayanad and all northern districts of Kerala. This indicates extremely heavy rainfall is expected in these regions.
Congress sources said that the two leaders would visit relief camps at the Government Higher Secondary School and St Joseph UP School, Meppadi. They would also visit Dr Moopen’s Medical College in Meppadi.
The rescue operations has been continued on the third day with army, navy and coast guard teams carrying out a detailed search mainly at three locations at Attamala, Mundakkai and Chooralmala.
Expressing anguish over the loss of lives in the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi had tweeted in the morning, “My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon.”
CONCLUSION:
While speaking in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi demanded that the central government extend all possible support for the rescue and rehabilitation of those affected by the landslide. He also extended an increased compensation to the kin of those who died in the landslides.
Rescue Authorities are using sniffer dogs and sophisticated buried objects for the detection system to find people buried under the ground. The rescue Authorities are still struggling for rescuing and finding the missing people.