Former Wayanad MP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences on Tuesday over the devastating landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district, which have left several people trapped and missing.
“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 wrote in a post on X.
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.
I have spoken to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 30, 2024
Gandhi has assured that he will seek Union ministers’ assistance to support Wayanad in this crisis. He has also been in contact with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Wayanad District Collector, emphasizing the need for coordinated rescue efforts.
“I have spoken to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad District Collector, who assured me 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…I will speak to Union Ministers and request them to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad,” Gandhi added.
He urged all UDF workers to support the administration in the ongoing rescue and relief operations.
The landslides, which occurred around 3:49 am on Tuesday, have claimed at least 19 lives, with hundreds still feared trapped. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) reported that 250 personnel from fire and rescue, civil defense, the NDRF, and local emergency response teams are engaged in the rescue operations. An additional NDRF team and two teams from the Kannur Defence Security Corps have been dispatched to Wayanad to assist.
Two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17 and an ALH, have been deployed to support the rescue efforts.
Chief Minister Vijayan’s office released a statement affirming that state ministers will oversee the coordinated operations in the affected district. The state health department has established a control room and provided emergency contact numbers: 9656938689 and 8086010833 for those in need of assistance.