'Dreams Of Thousands Of Families Shattered': PM Modi Meets Victims Of Wayanad Landslide

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Wayanad and carried out an aerial survey of the district where landslides claimed hundreds of lives.

The Prime Minister also visited the hospital to meet and interact with the victims and survivors of the landslide in Wayanad.

PM Modi also held a review meeting with officials to assess the situation in the landslide-affected area of Wayanad.

At the review meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “Since learning about the landslide, I have been closely monitoring the situation. We quickly mobilized all relevant Central Government agencies to assist with the disaster.”

“This is not an ordinary calamity; it has devastated the dreams of thousands of families. I have personally assessed the situation on the ground, visited the relief camps where victims are sheltered, and met with injured patients in the hospital,” he added.

The meeting was attended by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Union Minister Suresh Gopi, highlighting the collaborative effort to address the crisis and coordinate relief measures.

‘Money Will Not Be A Constraint’: PM Ensures All Help To Kerala

“Centre will not leave any stone unturned in relief and rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad: PM. We will provide generous help to Kerala once their memorandum arrives. I don’t think money will be a constraint. We will make all efforts to fulfil the expectations of the Kerala Government,” said PM Modi.

PM Modi Conducts Aerials Survey Of Landslide Hit Waynad

PM Modi conducted an aerial survey of the landslide-ravaged Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Punchirimattom hamlets aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter, on which he departed to Wayanad from Kannur Airport around 11.15 am. In the aerial survey, he saw the origin of the landslide, which is in the origin of Iruvazhinji Puzha (River).

He was accompanied by Khan, Vijayan and Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi who travelled with the PM on Air India One.

“I have closely witnessed a natural disaster before, in 1979 during the Morbi floods in Gujarat, where 2,500 people died. I stayed there for six months and worked as a volunteer, experiencing the problems firsthand. Therefore, I can imagine what the people of Wayanad are going through,” said the PM.

The PM also visited the relief camp to meet and interact with the victims and survivors of the landslide in Wayanad.

Can Wayanad Tragedy Be Declared A National Disaster? Here’s A Look At Facts

Over 300 People Killed In Landslides So Far

The landslides, which occurred on July 30, have claimed the lives of over 300 people and left hundreds more injured. Indian Army, NDRF along with local emergency response departments have continued their massive search and rescue operation with teams now focused on the forested regions.

The Kerala government has enlisted the help of the families of the missing and local residents in the search efforts.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday while speaking at the Parliament demanded a ‘higher compensation’ and ‘comprehensive rehabilitation package’ for the people affected due to the landslide in Wayanad.

Gandhi also called on the government to declare the recent calamity in Wayanad a ‘national disaster’.

(With inputs from PTI)