Rahul Gandhi urges centre to declare Wayanad landslides a “National Disaster” in Lok Sabha

Rahul Gandhi called for a comprehensive rehabilitation package for those affected and an increase in compensation paid to the victims. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, addressing the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, urged the central government to declare the recent landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad as a “national disaster”.

Rahul Gandhi Demands Higher Compensation for People affected in Wanayad

Gandhi called for a comprehensive rehabilitation package for those affected and an increase in compensation paid to victims. “I visited Wayanad with my sister a few days ago and saw with my own eyes the devastation, pain and suffering resulting from this tragedy. More than 200 people have died and many are missing, but the final death toll is expected of more than 400,” said Gandhi, adding: “It is good to see that all communities have come together and helped. And to declare the landslides in Wayanad a national disaster,” Rahul Gandhi said in the lower house of Parliament.

Appreciated the State Government and Central Forces for Rescue efforts

The rescue and relief operations in the places of Kerala in Wayanad have entered their ninth consecutive day, with Gandhi appreciating the joint efforts of the Union and State Governments of Kerala, along with the personnel of the NDRF, SDRF, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Fire Brigade. And other forces, including help from neighboring states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

“Cooperative rescue operation by the IAF, IA and state authorities is underway in the landslide-hit Wayanad region. A specialized team of soldiers, along with the Army, is was transported by an IAF from Kalpetta to the Chaliyar River,” PRO Defense Kochi posted on X. Massive landslides hit Chooralmala and   Mundakkai in Wayanad on July 30,  killing more than 300 people and  causing damage to property.  Earlier in the day, a special team comprising six trained army personnel, four Special Operations Groups (SOGs) of the Kerala Police, two forest officers and a dog team visited the Lever Valley from Soojippara Falls in Wayanad to conduct a search operation.

“Continuing yesterday’s operation, today we send another team. We include a dead dog and its owner. “It is a team of 13 members. We want to go further in the valley. Yesterday they went 4 kilometers. Today we are trying to cover more areas. We will try to cover as much as possible in the valley,” Taposh Basumatary, Superintendent of Police, SOG, said at ANI.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan promises to make Wanayad situation Better

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday assured that the government will ensure first-class rehabilitation in the land-affected areas of Wayanad district, with the aim of setting an exemplary model. Addressing a press conference, CM Vijayan said: “We will provide first-class rehabilitation. Our goal is to implement a resettlement model that can serve as an example for the nation and the world”. also noted that government employees and teachers had volunteered to contribute at least 5% of their salaries to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF).
Highlighting the total contributions, Vijayan said, “From July 30 to Monday, we have received Rs 53.98 crore for the disaster relief fund.