On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Wayanad, Kerala, to assess the aftermath of the catastrophic landslides that struck the region on July 30. Modi is scheduled to arrive in Kannur around 11 am and will conduct an aerial survey of the landslide-affected areas.
By 12:15 pm, the Prime Minister will be on the ground, where he will receive updates from rescue teams on evacuation efforts and oversee ongoing rehabilitation activities. His visit will include a stop at a relief camp and hospital to meet with survivors and victims’ families. Modi will also chair a review meeting to get a comprehensive briefing on the situation and the relief measures in place.
The landslides have claimed 226 lives and left over 130 individuals missing. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reported that efforts are underway to include relatives in the search operation as a last resort to locate the missing. “I am in search of my brothers, hoping to get at least a body part of our dear ones. Many of our relatives and friends are still missing,” survivor Mohanan told PTI.
The state has mobilized excavators, equipment, and hundreds of rescue workers to aid in the recovery efforts. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, has called on the central government to declare the Wayanad landslides a national disaster. “I visited Wayanad with my sister some days back and saw firsthand the devastation, pain, and suffering resulting from this tragedy. More than 200 people are dead, and many are missing, but the eventual casualty count is expected to be over 400,” Gandhi stated, reflecting on the dire situation.
