• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Thu, 01 Aug 2024 06:21 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Wayanad Landslides: After meeting survivors of the twin landslides that have claimed the lives of at least 200 people in Kerala's Wayanad so far, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said he experienced the same emotions he encouneterd after the death of his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur in 1991.

"Today, I feel how I felt when my father died. Here people have not just lost a father but an entire family. We all owe these people respect and affection. The whole nation's attention is towards Wayanad," the former Wayanad MP said on Thursday, while interacting with the media in one of the landslide-affected villages.

He added, "It is a terrible tragedy for Wayanad, for Kerala and the nation. We have come here to see the situation. It is painful to see how many people have lost family members and their houses. We will try to help and make sure that the survivors get what is their due. A lot of them want to be relocated. There is a lot that needs to be done here. I would like to thank all those including doctors, nurses, administration and volunteers."

The Congress leader also asserted that the landslides in Wayanad deserve to be recognised as a national disaster. "To me, this is a national disaster for sure. Let us see what the government says," he stated. He further said the time was not right for any political blame-game.

ALSO READ: Wayanad Landslides: Kerala Guv Says Rescuers Yet To Reach Ground Zero Of Tragedy; Death Toll Likely To Rise

"I don't think this is the time for place to talk about political issues. People here require help. The time right now is to make sure that all assistance comes. I am not interested in politics right now. I am interested in the people of Wayanad," Rahul said.

His sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, who has been fielded by the party to contest the upcoming parliamentary by-polls in Wayanad, also accompanied the Lok Sabha LoP to the landslide-affected Chooralmala village.

ALSO READ: 'Nothing Like I've Seen Before': Doctor Shares Gut-Churning Details About Wayanad Landslide Victims

Interacting with the media, she said, "We have spent a whole day meeting people who have suffered. It's an immense tragedy. We can only imagine the kind of pain the people are suffering. We are here to give as much comfort and support... Tomorrow, we plan to sit and chalk out how we can help especially the children who are left on their own now."

WAYANAD NEWS: DEATH TOLL CONTINUES TO MOUNT

According to NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahidi, as of Thursday, the death toll from the landslides was more than 200. Two massive landslides struck Mundakkai and Chooralmala villages in the early hours of July 30, causing extensive destruction, loss of lives, and injury to hundreds, as per the Kerala Revenue Department.  

(With inputs from ANI)