Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are expected to visit Kerala’s Wayanad, where massive landslides have resulted in 24 fatalities. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal emphasized the need for unity, stating, “This is the hour of togetherness, we have to work together to ensure the safety of as many lives as possible. We are planning to go (to Wayanad). Yes, both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are planning to go.”
Venugopal mentioned that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has pledged full cooperation and that extensive rehabilitation efforts are already in progress. “It is very unfortunate and the saddest day for us. Tragedies have been occurring in Wayanad one after another. This morning we heard the saddest news. Since then, we have been trying to implement maximum-level rehabilitation and rescue measures with the help of the government and other agencies. I informed Rahul Gandhi, who immediately contacted the District Collector and then the Chief Minister. He offered full support to the Chief Minister if needed. He also spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who assured full cooperation,” Venugopal said.
KC Venugopal and Congress MP Hibi Eden submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha in light of the tragedy, urging the central government to expedite rescue operations and provide all possible assistance to those affected. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala stressed the importance of collective efforts to support the victims and their families and called for rescue operations to be conducted on a war footing. “It is a very tragic incident that happened in Wayanad at 3 am. I was told that more casualties were there. The rescue operations are ongoing. I talked to the MLA and other important leaders there, as well as the district administration. They are trying their best to rescue the people from that area,” Chennithala said to ANI.
Chennithala added, “There is no connectivity in this area, so the police, district administration, and everyone else are trying to get in touch with the stranded people. Everyone should come together to provide relief to these bereaved families, and rescue operations should be conducted on a war footing.”
Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh described the Wayanad landslide as a shocking incident, noting the significant loss of life and damage. He emphasized the severity of the situation, highlighting that one village was completely isolated and washed out. “The government of Kerala has initiated relief measures. The Government of India, Air Force, and NDRF are all present there, and the rescue operation has begun on a war footing,” Suresh said.
Kerala Minister Veena George reported on Tuesday that 24 bodies have been recovered following a series of massive landslides that struck the hilly areas of Meppadi in Wayanad in the early hours of July 30. She stated that NDRF and Civil Defence teams are on-site, with a Navy team expected to arrive soon. The landslide has impacted Meppadi, Mundakkal Town, and Chooralmala areas, and the state health minister confirmed that the government has dispatched rescue personnel, medical equipment, and health workers to Vythiri, Mananthawadi, Kalpetta, and Meppadi government hospitals.
The Kerala Chief Minister’s office announced that a control room has been set up to provide immediate relief and rescue assistance following the landslide in Chooralmala, Wayanad. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed prompt coordination of the rescue operations and announced that the entire government machinery is actively involved, with ministers overseeing and coordinating the efforts. A delegation of five ministers—Revenue Minister K Rajan, Public Works Minister Muhammad Riyaz, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Minister O R Kelu, Forest Minister K Saseendran, and Ports Minister Kadannapally Ramachandran—is being sent to the disaster-hit area, according to the Kerala CMO.