As Wayanad braces for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on Saturday, the Kerala government is likely to present a substantial memorandum to the Centre, requesting a Rs 2,000 crore relief package.
The visit comes in the wake of devastating landslides on 30 July, which have claimed 416 lives and left over 150 individuals missing.
Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas, leading the rescue and relief efforts, emphasized the urgency and urged officials to declare the landslides a national disaster.
The Prime Minister is likely to land at Kannur airport and then undertake an aerial survey of the four severely impacted villages.
Following the aerial inspection, PM Modi will visit hospitals to meet survivors receiving treatment and tour several relief camps housing over 10,700 displaced individuals.
The Prime Minister is also likely to chair a review meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, and other senior officials to discuss the recovery and relief efforts.
The Kerala government previously requested a Rs 1,200 crore central package to address the damages from the landslides and flooding, with an additional Rs 800 crore sought for rehabilitation and recovery activities.
Chief Minister Vijayan has urged PM Modi to declare the Wayanad tragedy a national disaster and has highlighted the need for federal support in constructing a new township for the affected survivors.
In response to the impending visit, former Wayanad MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed appreciation on social media, thanking Modi for his visit and expressing hope that the Prime Minister’s first-hand observation of the devastation would prompt the declaration of a national disaster.
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