Wayanad Landslide News: Congress leader and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the landslide-affected area of Chooralmala on Thursday afternoon. Despite the ongoing rain, they arrived at the site and later visited a relief camp at Meppadi Government Higher Secondary School in Wayanad to meet with survivors of the tragedy. The landslides, which were triggered by torrential rains, struck Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha hamlets in the early hours of Tuesday, killing over 200 people, NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahidi said as quoted by news agency ANI.
Rahul Gandhi, who had won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections, secured a victory here once again in the recent elections. However, as he also won the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, he gave up the Wayanad constituency, where Priyanka is expected to contest when a by-election is held.
#WATCH | Kerala: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi along with party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visit A relief camp AT Meppadi Govt Higher Secondary School in Wayanad to meet the survivors of the landslide.
— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024
A landslide occurred here on 30th… pic.twitter.com/YJ1vAfVRWl
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Chairs All-Party Meeting
Amid rising casualties from landslides, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired an all-party meeting in Wayanad on Thursday to address the situation. The meeting took place at the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Hall in the Civil Station. The Chief Minister emphasised that the immediate priority is to rescue the missing persons and the rehabilitation will be initiated at the earliest.
Search And Rescue Operations On
The Indian Coast Guard Disaster Relief Team, in collaboration with the Indian Army, Indian Navy, NDRF, SDRF, and District Administration, is actively engaged in a rescue operation in Vellari Village, Wayanad, following the devastating landslide. Coast Guard officials stated that rescue teams are on the ground, working tirelessly to search for missing persons and deliver urgent aid and support to those affected. The teams are focused on ensuring safety and facilitating a swift recovery for the impacted community.
IMD Issues Orange Alert For Kerala
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert, warning of more showers in Kerala on Thursday. The IMD has forecasted additional rainfall in the state until August 4, following the severe downpour earlier this week in Wayanad district that resulted in the tragic loss of over 177 lives.