Adverse Weather Conditions: Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Postpone Visit To Wayanad
Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi have postponed their plans to visit Wayanad tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions in the area, which was devastated by massive landslides early Tuesday morning. The landslides in Wayanad’s Mundikkai and Chooralmala regions have so far claimed 126 lives, and more than 100 people are still trapped in the mud as incessant rains and the destruction of a connecting bridge have delayed rescue operations.
“Priyanka and I were scheduled to visit Wayanad tomorrow to meet with families affected by the landslide and take stock of the situation. However, due to incessant rains and adverse weather conditions we have been informed by authorities that we will not be able to land,” Rahul Gandhi, also the Member of Parliament from Wayanad, wrote on X.
Read Also: How BIg Is Wayanad Landslide; Unfathomable Casualties Feared
However, he assured the people of Wayanad that the Gandhi siblings will visit as soon as possible. “In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide all necessary assistance. Our thoughts are with the people of Wayanad at this difficult time,” the Congress leader said.
Priyanka and I were scheduled to visit Wayanad tomorrow to meet with families affected by the landslide and take stock of the situation.
However, due to incessant rains and adverse weather conditions we have been informed by authorities that we will not be able to land.
I…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 30, 2024
Read Also: Wayanad Landslides: When A Water Stream Became A River
“My brothers and Sisters in Wayanad, Even though we cannot come to Wayanad tomorrow, our hearts are with you at this tragic hour and we are praying for all of you,” Priyanka Gandhi, also the Congress nominee for the Wayanad byelections after Rahul Gandhi decided to keep Raebareli, said in another X post.
An update from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said this is one of the worst natural calamities Kerala has ever witnessed. He informed that the rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas.
“The first landslide occurred at 2 AM today, followed by another at 4:10 AM. Many areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, have been isolated, and roads have been washed away. The Vellarmala GVH School was completely buried. The damage to homes and livelihoods is immense. Efforts to locate missing persons continue with all available resources,” Mr Vijayan said.
Pinarayi Vijayan stated that various forces, including the Fire Force, NDRF, and Police, were working together in relief efforts, with military units urgently mobilized. He mentioned that various units of the Army and Navy were participating in the rescue operation, with 329 members of the Fire Force deputed to Wayanad from various districts. This included 35 trained members of the Water Rescue Academy and 86 Civil Defence and Apta Mitra members. He noted that a 60-member team from the NDRF had already reached Wayanad and was engaged in rescue operations, with an additional team from Bangalore on its way. Vijayan added that a 64-member team from the DSC had arrived in Wayanad, with another DSC team ready in Kannur. He reported that two Air Force helicopters, which had departed from Sulur for Wayanad, were currently stationed in Kozhikode due to adverse weather conditions. Requests had also been made for the river-crossing team of the Navy, one team from the ET F Army, and one team from the Indian Coast Guard.
