- By Vivek Raj
- Thu, 08 Aug 2024 09:11 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Wayanad, Kerala, on August 10 to meet survivors of last month's devastating landslide, according to a source. The visit aims to assess the damage and discuss relief efforts. PM Modi will arrive in Kannur on a special flight. From there, he will conduct an aerial survey of the landslide-affected areas by helicopter, as reported by IANS.
PM Modi will then visit several relief camps housing over 10,000 displaced individuals. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will accompany him after his arrival in Kannur.
Both the Kerala government and the Congress-led Opposition have urged the Central government to declare the landslide a national calamity. The death toll from the disaster has risen to 413, with 152 people still missing.
Hours before the announcement of PM Modi's visit, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi called on the Union government to declare the Wayanad landslide a national disaster. He also called for a comprehensive rehabilitation package, including disaster-resilient infrastructure and enhanced compensation for the affected communities.
"I urge the Union government to support a comprehensive rehabilitation package for Wayanad. This package must include building disaster-resilient infrastructures to help the affected communities. The Union government should also enhance the compensation that people are getting. Importantly, the Union government should declare the Wayanad landslide as a national disaster," LoP Rahul Gandhi said while addressing the Lok Sabha.
On August 1, former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, visited the landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad. They assessed the situation and interacted with the survivors.
The rehabilitation of those affected will be carried out in three phases, according to the four-member cabinet sub-committee overseeing the relief operations.
Rehabilitation Plan
In the first phase, survivors will be moved from relief camps at government schools to temporary accommodations, including vacant homes and government properties. The administration will cover all expenses, and special teams will ensure necessary facilities are provided.
The second phase involves temporary transit homes using pre-fabricated technology, transitioning survivors to permanent housing.
The final phase will see the development of a comprehensive township with all essential amenities in a safe environment. Land is currently being assessed for this purpose.