Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Wayanad district in Kerala, where he described the tragedy as “nature displaying its furious form” and assured the survivors and victims that they are not alone in this time of distress. The Central government will “spare no effort” to assist Kerala with relief and reconstruction. The area has been affected by landslides.
We stand with the people of Wayanad and Kerala in this tragic hour. And, we assure all possible support to overcome this challenge. pic.twitter.com/ZwJlY5I9iw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 10, 2024
After taking a helicopter from Kannur airport to the hill district, Modi conducted an aerial survey, walked through Chooralmala, the scene of the July 30 landslide disaster, visited one of the relief camps, and spoke with survivors, including two children who had lost loved ones in the tragedy. Modi placed his hands on the heads and shoulders of the victims as they broke into tears while recounting their ordeal.
Ayyappan, a survivor of the devastating landslides that swept through Mundakkai hamlet in Wayanad, said that the “PM assured all help.” The landslides killed 229 people, while over 130 are still missing. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during his visit to the ravaged parts.
On behalf of the state government, Chief Minister Vijayan stressed the need for a comprehensive reconstruction of the landslides-hit areas. Revenue Minister K Rajan said the region has incurred a loss of Rs 1,200 crore, while Rs 2,000 crore was sought for rehabilitation alone.
Modi asserted that the Central government will spare no effort in assisting with the relief and rehabilitation activities. As soon as the state government submits details about the building of houses, schools, roads, infrastructure, and securing the future of the survivors, especially that of children who have lost their parents, “there will be full cooperation from our end. I assure you that the nation and the government of India will spare no efforts,” he said.
Modi expressed hope that the state government will work out some long-term plans for the survivors, especially the kids who have lost everyone and everything. Governor Khan, Vijayan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, ministers of a cabinet sub-committee camping near the disaster site, senior bureaucrats, and officials of the local administration were present in the meeting.
After the meeting, the CMO issued a statement saying Vijayan has asked the PM for financial support for rehabilitation and help to combat climate change. The chief minister also handed over a note of the extent of the damage to Modi and pointed out that according to the preliminary assessment, the damage caused was to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees. He also requested that the landslides in Wayanad be declared a severe disaster and a “national calamity.”
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