Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, addressing the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, urged the Central government to declare the recent landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, as a “national disaster.”
Gandhi called for a comprehensive rehabilitation package for those affected and an increase in the compensation provided to the victims.
Also Read:‘Champions give answers on field’: Rahul Gandhi on Vinesh Phogat’s stunning Olympics feat
“I visited Wayanad with my sister some days back and saw firsthand the devastation, pain, and suffering resulting from this tragedy. More than 200 people are dead, and many are missing, but the eventual casualty count is expected to be over 400,” Gandhi said, adding, “It is nice to see that all communities came together and helped.”
“I urge the Union Government to Provide a comprehensive rehabilitation package, enhance the compensation that people are receiving and declare the Wayanad landslides a national disaster,” Rahul Gandhi said in the lower house of Parliament.
Also Read:After Rahul Gandhi’s ‘ED raid being planned’ tweet, Congress moves adjournment motion in Lok Sabha
The rescue and relief operations in landslide-hit areas of Kerala’s Wayanad entered their ninth consecutive day, with commendation from Gandhi for the joint efforts of the Union and Kerala state government, as well as personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Fire Department, and other forces, including assistance from neighboring states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
“Collaborative rescue operations conducted by the IAF, IA and state authorities are ongoing in the landslide-affected Wayanad region. A specialised team of soldiers, along with the Army, was airlifted by an IAF from Kalpetta to Chaliyar River,” PRO Defence Kochi posted on X.
Also Read:Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP in Lok Sabha, says India trapped in modern-day ‘chakravyuh’
Massive landslides hit Wayanad’s Chooralmala and Mundakkai on July 30, resulting in over 300 casualties and widespread property damage. Earlier today, a special team consisting of six trained Army personnel, four Special Operation Groups (SOGs) of Kerala Police, two Forest Officers, and a dog squad left for the Sunrise Valley of Soojippara waterfalls in Wayanad to carry out a search operation.
“In continuation of yesterday’s. operation, today we are also sending a team. We are including a cadaver dog and its handler. It is a 13-member team. We want to go some more downstream. Yesterday, 4 kilometres were covered. Today, we are trying to cover some more areas. We will maximum try to cover downstream,” Taposh Basumatary, Superintendent of Police, SOG, told ANI.
On Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured that the government will provide world-class rehabilitation in the landslide-affected areas of Wayanad district, aiming to set an exemplary model.
During a press conference, CM Vijayan stated, “We will ensure world-class rehabilitation. Our goal is to implement a resettlement model that can serve as an example for the nation and the world.” He also noted that government employees and teachers have volunteered to contribute at least 5 percent of their salaries to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF).
Highlighting the total contributions, Vijayan mentioned, “From July 30 until Monday, we have received Rs 53.98 crores in the disaster relief fund.”