Texas Flood: Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, has come under severe criticism for her reaction to the catastrophic Texas flash floods, which already claimed at least 82 lives, including dozens of children. Several social media users have called for an apology from Melania, alleging that she expressed only "thoughts and prayers" whereas her husband's administration had cut crucial disaster relief and weather forecasting budgets earlier. On Saturday, Melania tweeted on X (formerly Twitter), "My heart goes out to the Texas parents at this sad time. I am keeping you in my thoughts and sending you prayers for strength, comfort, and resiliency." But the post attracted quick criticism from Texans and critics in the US Several noted that budget reductions to the National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) made by the Trump administration could have made the magnitude of disaster worse.

Critics Call For Apology 

Social media users expressed their disappointment and frustration with Melania's response, with some asking her to apologise for the administration's role in the tragedy. Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro informed CNN that reductions to the weather service put lives at risk. "When it rains flash floods, you want the people to do accurate forecasting. You can have less expertise and can have more tragedy," Castro explained. One commenter responded to Melania's post, "Prayers don't rebuild homes. Empathy doesn't restore what your husband stripped away. While Texas suffers, you offer thoughts-after your government cut disaster aid and silenced response teams. We see through the performance. Vanta never forgets," Others called her hypocritical, citing previous scandals and the administration's response to disaster relief. Another user wrote, "They've already seen the vids of you dancing on the balcony while their children were dying." "Your heart goes out but where were your voices when policies tore families apart? Thoughts and prayers don't fix systems Action does," a third user wrote.

In the increasing backlash, President Donald Trump signed a disaster declaration for Kerr County and nearby areas Sunday, triggering FEMA assets. US Coast Guard helicopters and aircraft are helping with search and rescue missions, according to the Department of Homeland Security. At Kerrville's all-girl summer camp, Camp Mystic, frantic families went back Sunday to comb through cabins and wreckage. A minimum of 68 bodies have been located in Kerr County alone, with 28 children. Ten of the girls and a counselor at Camp Mystic are still missing as rescue crews battle swelling waters, wreckage and poisonous snakes. Authorities confirmed that the river close to the camp surged 26 feet in a matter of 45 minutes, leveling structures and cars. In spite of an initial flash flood warning by the National Weather Service, the sheer power of the deluge overwhelmed the area, dubbed "Flash Flood Alley."

ALSO READ: Death, Destruction And Downpour: How Texas Is Fighting Back After Deadly Floods | See in Pics

President Trump Confronted Over FEMA, Weather Cuts

President Trump, before leaving his Bedminster golf club for Washington, confirmed that he would be traveling to Texas later this week. He refused to speak on whether he intends to restore the funding for federal meteorologists, stating: "This was a thing that happened in seconds. Nobody expected it. Nobody saw it coming. In the meantime, city authorities pledged an investigation of whether sufficient early warnings were given and if the emergency response was effective. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice guaranteed a complete examination of how alerting the public and preparing were conducted.

ALSO READ: Texas Flash Floods: PM Modi Offers Condolences As 43 Dead, 27 Girls Missing After Camp Mystic Disaster

Survivors spoke of hanging on to trees or beams in attics as floodwaters inundated the Texas Hill Country. Families and volunteers still scour riverbanks even after being warned to avoid treacherous waters. Authorities indicated that the death toll will likely increase in the next few days as more heavy rain looms over already ravaged areas.