'Deeply Anguished': Rahul Gandhi Expresses Condolences to Families of Wayanad Landslide Victims

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul expressed deep anguish over the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad and condoled the death of the landslide victims. Rahul Gandhi represented Kerala's Wayanad constituency from 2019 to 2024. He won the Wayanad seat in the recent Lok Sabha elections but later vacated it for Raebareli.

Hours after the incident, Gandhi took to X and wrote, “I am deeply anguished by the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon.”

Gandhi has spoken to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad District Collector, who assured him that rescue operations are underway. "I have requested them to ensure coordination with all agencies, set up a control room, and inform us of any assistance needed for the relief efforts," he added. He also plans to speak to Union Ministers to request additional assistance for Wayanad.

Gandhi also urged all UDF workers to assist the administration in the rescue and relief operations. "I urge all UDF workers to assist the administration in the rescue and relief operations," he said.

The toll in the landslides that hit Kerala's hilly Wayanad district on Tuesday has risen to 19, including several children, according to authorities. Of those killed, four people, including a child, died in Chooralmala town, while a one-year-old child from a Nepali family died in Thondernad village. Meanwhile, three bodies, including that of a five-year-old, were recovered from the banks of a river near Pothukal village.

The affected areas include Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages, which have been cut off by the landslides. Wayanad district Collector Meghasree D R stated that disaster relief work is progressing in the affected areas, with rescue operations being carried out by the NDRF, fire force, police, and the Forest, Revenue, and Local Self-government departments. Volunteers and local residents are also cooperating in the rescue efforts.

The Collector also informed that the shutter of the Banasura Sagar dam on the Karamanthodu river was opened, warning those living downstream and in low-lying areas to be cautious.

In a video message, UDF MLA T Siddique mentioned that district authorities were drawing up plans to airlift people from the Mundakkai area. "Currently, we have no complete information about those missing and dead in the landslides. Many areas have been cut off. NDRF personnel are trying to reach those places," he said.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Facebook that two Air Force helicopters would depart for Wayanad from Sulur shortly to participate in the search and rescue operations. Several families have been moved to various camps or homes of their relatives in the wake of the landslides, according to district authorities.

PM Modi Announced Ex-Gratia for Landslide Victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed anguish over the loss of lives in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district and assured CM Pinarayi Vijayan of all possible help from the Centre to deal with the crisis. The prime minister announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.

In a post on X, Modi said, "Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected."

"Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there," he said.

Official sources said the prime minister also spoke to the two Union ministers from the state, Suresh Gopi and George Kurien, over the prevailing situation.

Modi has asked BJP president J P Nadda to mobilise party workers in the region to assist in the ongoing relief work, they said.