Rahul Gandhi urges Centre to extend full support to people affected by landslides in Wayanad

New Delhi [India], July 30 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday appealed for a comprehensive action plan to address the “growing frequency of natural calamities” in ecologically fragile regions in the backdrop of landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad that claimed over 80 lives.

Speaking in Lok Sabha, the Congress leader, who is a former MP of Wayanad, urged the central government to extend all support for rescue and relief work.

“Early this morning, Wayanad was hit by several devastating landslides, more than 70 people have been killed. Mundakkai village has been cut off and the devastating loss of lives and extensive damage are yet to be assessed due to the scale of the tragedy. I have spoken to the Defence Minister and the Chief Minister of Kerala. I request the Union government to extend all possible support for rescue and medical care.”

Gandhi also urged for the immediate release of compensation to next of the kin of the deceased.

“If that compensation can be increased as well, restore vital transport and communication lines, setup relief at the earliest and prepare a roadmap for the rehabilitation of the affected families. Our country has witnessed an alarming rise in landslides in the last few years. There’s an urgent need for mapping of landslide prone areas and to take up mitigation measures and an action plan to address the growing frequency of calamities in ecologically fragile regions,” Rahul Gandhi said.

Over 80 people were killed and many others injured in the landslides that hit the Meppadi area of Kerala’s Wayanad in the early hours of Tuesday, following torrential rains.

The members in two Houses of Parliament expressed their concern at the tragedy with some opposition members demanding that it be declared national disaster.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar expressed concern over the loss of lives in Wayanad landslides. He said that the Central and state governments are taking necessary steps.

CPI-M MP John Brittas sought assistance from the Defence, Home and Finance Ministries.

An Indian Navy team from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur is being sent to Wayanad in Kerala to assist in the rescue operations at Chooralmala.

The Navy team is being despatched, at the request of Chief Minister Pinrayi Vijayan, who sought the help of the Navy’s River Crossing team, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.

The Army and Air Force have also been mobilised for the rescue operations in the area. A main bridge has collapsed in the town of Chooralmala.

Around 200 Indian Army personnel from DSC Centre Kannur, 122 TA Battalion from Kozhikode have been despatched to the site. A team of 30 specialist swimmers from Indian Navy are being deployed. Two helicopters from Air Force station Sulur has been despatched, as per the Defence officials.

Kerala Chief Minister held discussions with top Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) officials on the situation in the landslide-affected Wayanad areas.