Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit landslide-hit Wayanad on Wednesday morning, party sources said. Landslides hit the hilly Wayanad district on Tuesday, leaving 57 people dead.
The landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, which occurred early on Tuesday, have left a trail of destruction in its wake, with several houses destroyed, water bodies swollen and trees uprooted.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi condoled the loss of lives in the landslides and urged United Democratic Front (UDF) workers to provide all help to those affected. Rahul Gandhi, who represented Wayanad in the 17th Lok Sabha, said he has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Wayanad district collector, who have assured him that rescue operations are underway.
The former Congress chief expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives in 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,” he said 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
The devastation unfolding in Wayanad is heartbreaking. I have urged the Union government in Parliament to extend all possible support, including increased compensation and its immediate release to the bereaved families.
Our country has witnessed an alarming rise in landslides in… pic.twitter.com/y4UzdfRAUe
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 30, 2024
“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,” Rahul Gandhi said.
The Congress leader said, “I will speak to the Union ministers and request them to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad.”
