On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, called on the Union government to officially classify the recent landslide in Wayanad as a national disaster due to the extensive damage it has caused.
In his address to the Lok Sabha, Gandhi emphasized the need for a robust rehabilitation plan, which should include constructing disaster-resilient infrastructure and increasing the compensation for those affected. He stressed that declaring the landslide a national disaster is crucial for effective management and recovery efforts.
Gandhi criticized BJP MPs for obstructing the opposition’s attempts to discuss the Wayanad tragedy in Parliament. “It is astonishing that we are being denied the opportunity to speak about Wayanad,” he said, referring to the disruption in the House.
On August 1, Gandhi, accompanied by Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, visited the landslide-stricken area of Chooralmala in Wayanad, Kerala. He described the scene of devastation, highlighting that a significant portion of a hill had collapsed, resulting in a deluge of stones and mud. The anticipated death toll from this disaster is expected to exceed 400.
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Despite the tragedy, Gandhi noted the commendable response from various communities and individuals, who have united to support the affected families. He recounted the profound impact of the disaster, noting instances where entire families had been wiped out, leaving only a single survivor—often a child or an adult.
Gandhi extended his gratitude to both the Union and Kerala governments for their swift rescue and rehabilitation efforts, as well as to other rescue teams, security forces, and neighboring states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana for their contributions.
He concluded by expressing appreciation to the members of the House for their support and efforts in assisting the people of Wayanad during this severe crisis.
