New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, visited the landslide-affected Chooralmala area in Wayanad on Thursday. The visit aimed to assess the devastating impact of the massive landslides that have struck the region, leaving a trail of destruction and loss.Gandhis interaction with victimsAddressing the media after his visit, Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. It is a terrible tragedy for Wayanad, for Kerala, and for the nation. We have come here to see the situation. It is painful to see how many people have lost family members and their houses. We will try to help and make sure that the survivors get what is their due, he stated. Gandhi emphasized the urgency of relocating the affected individuals and acknowledged the extensive efforts required for recovery. He also extended gratitude to the doctors, nurses, administration, and volunteers involved in the relief efforts.Personal reflection on lossGandhi drew a poignant parallel between the landslide victims grief and his own personal loss. Today, I feel how I felt when my father died. Here, people have not just lost a father but an entire family. We all owe these people respect and affection. The whole nations attention is towards Wayanad, he added, highlighting the profound emotional impact of the disaster.#WATCH | In Wayanad, Congress MP & LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi says, It is a terrible tragedy for Wayanad, for Kerala and the nation. We have come here to see the situation. It is painful to see how many people have lost family members and their houses. We will try to help and… pic.twitter.com/puqOMWRBYC— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024Scale of the disaster, ongoing rescue effortsThe catastrophic landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall, have claimed 256 lives across Wayanad, with Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha being the worst affected villages. Over 200 individuals have sustained injuries, and rescue operations, now in their third day, have seen the Army rescuing approximately 1,000 people. However, 220 individuals remain missing.A Command and Control Centre has been established in Kozhikode by the Army to coordinate Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts. Kerala Health Minister Veena George reported that 1,500 Army personnel are actively involved in the rescue mission, supplemented by forensic surgeons.Weather forecast, international condolencesThe Indian Meteorological Department has forecasted more rainfall for Wayanad and other districts, issuing a red alert for Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod. In light of the calamity, several countries, including the US, Russia, China, and Iran, have expressed their condolences over the loss of lives due to the landslides.
