House discusses landslides in Wayanad: Rahul Gandhi seeks ‘immediate’ compensation for deceased’s kin, JP Nadda assures govt support

At least 50 people were killed, while several others are missing after heavy rains triggered a massive landslide in the district.

At least 15 bodies have been recovered so far from the Chaliyar River in Malappuram, and several others are feared to have been washed away.

Amid the mounting death toll in a massive landslide that struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday morning, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi requested the Union government to extend all possible support for rescue and medical care, as well as immediate release of the compensation to the families of those deceased.

Addressing the House, he said, “Earlier this morning, Wayanad was hit by several devastating landslides. More than 70 people have been killed… I have spoken to the Honourable Defence Minister and the Chief Minister of Kerala. I request the Union government to extend all possible support for rescue and medical care, immediate release of the compensation to those deceased. That compensation can be increased as well… and prepare a roadmap for the rehabilitation of the affected families.”

“… Landslides looms over many areas in Wayanad and the Western Ghats. Our country has witnessed an alarming rise in the landslides in the last few years. There is an urgent need for mapping of landslide-prone areas, and to take up mitigation measures and an action plan to address the growing frequency of natural calamities in the ecologically-fragile regions,” he added.

Also Read | Wayanad landslides: PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh compensation for deceased’s kin; Rahul Gandhi urges UDF workers to assist rescue ops

At least 50 people were killed, while several others are missing after heavy rains triggered a massive landslide in the district. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has mobilized Fireforce and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to the affected area where hundreds are suspected to be trapped.

Union Minister JP Nadda, addressing the Rajya Sabha, expressed his concern over the deaths, and asserted it was a national concern. “I would like to say this is a tragedy of not just Kerala alone, but the entire nation is concerned… Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, The government of India is working proactively and doing everything necessary for the relief work in Kerala,” he said in the House.

He also assured that necessary steps towards rescue are being taken by the government. “On behalf of the government, I assure you that whatever is needed will be done…PM spoke with the Kerala CM and gave him assurance. Support from central agencies for relief has reached there. Work is being done in coordination with the state government. Right now, the primary concern lies in recovering the bodies and save those who can be saved… We should activate Emergency Response System,” he told the Upper House.

The Chair of the House and the Vice-President of the country, Jagdeep Dhankhar, in his remarks on the incident during the Question Hour, said, “Every member of the House is concerned. Our country is one…”

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At least 15 bodies have been recovered so far from the Chaliyar River in Malappuram, and several others are feared to have been washed away. The police has said that more bodies are being fished out of the river.

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