The landslide in Wayanad, Kerala has shaken the entire country. Four villages have been completely destroyed due to landslides and so far 289 people are reported to have died. Congress leader and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and his sister and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reached Kerala on Thursday.
Both of them visited various relief camps set up in landslide affected areas of Wayanad district and met the affected families. During this, Rahul said that today he is feeling the same as he felt on the death of his father Rajiv Gandhi. He said that at this moment my interest is not in politics but in the people of Wayanad.
‘We will try to help’
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, ‘This is a terrible tragedy for Wayanad, for Kerala and for the country. We have come here to see the situation. It is painful to see how many people have lost their family members and their homes.
Rahul said, ‘We will try to help and ensure that the survivors get their rights. Many of them want to relocate. A lot needs to be done here. I want to thank the doctors, nurses, administration and volunteers.
‘Today I feel the same as I did on my father’s death’
Rahul Gandhi said, ‘For me this is definitely a national disaster. Let’s see what the government says. I don’t think this is the time to talk about political issues. The people here need help. Now is the time to ensure that everyone gets help. I am not interested in politics at this time. I am interested in the people of Wayanad.
He said, ‘Today, I feel the same way as I did when my father died. Here people have lost not just a father but the entire family. We all are indebted to the respect and affection of these people. The attention of the entire country is towards Wayanad at this time. Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will stay in Wayanad today.
‘Can’t even imagine the pain of the victims’
Priyanka said, ‘Today we spent the whole day meeting the victims. This is a huge tragedy. We can only imagine the pain people are going through. We are here to help them. A big tragedy has also happened in Himachal Pradesh. Tomorrow we will plan how we can help, especially those children who are now left alone.
Soldiers raised slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’
The construction of Bailey Bridge in Wayanad by the Indian Army has been completed. To test the strength of the bridge, the army first moved its vehicles to the other side of the river. After the completion of the work, the army personnel involved in the construction raised slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. With the construction of the bridge, heavy vehicles can now be taken to the landslide site.
Rain came as a disaster in Wayanad
Heavy rains became a disaster in Wayanad on the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday. Landslides occurred three times between 1 am and 5 am and caused devastation in four beautiful villages, Churalamala, Attamala, Noolpuzha and Mundakkai, situated in the catchment of the Cheliyar river below the mountain.
The command of relief and rescue work in the areas affected by landslides in Wayanad is in the hands of the Indian Army. Under the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation, the Indian Army has intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after the devastating landslides in Wayanad. Around 500 personnel including medical staff have been deployed.