Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi along with party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, visited the landslides-hit Wayanad in Kerala, on Thursday. Both the leaders reached one of the landslide site in Chooralmala and also met the injured at a hospital.
They expressed their condolences by sharing the grief of the victims and assured them all possible support for their rehabilitation.
The Congress leaders met the rescued people, who have been admitted at VIMS Hospital in Wayanad, where they are being treated for their injuries.
They also visited a relief camp at St Joesph UP School in Wayanad, where they met the survivors of the natural disaster, which claimed the lives of 167 people.
After visiting the disaster spot, Rahul Gandhi, in a message on his WhatsApp channel, wrote: "Witnessing these scenes of tragedy deeply pains my heart. In these difficult times, Priyanka and I stand with the people of Wayanad. We are closely monitoring the relief, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts, ensuring that all necessary assistance is provided. The UDF is committed to extending all possible support."
"The repeated incidents of landslides and natural calamities are extremely concerning. A comprehensive action plan is urgently needed," he added.
After meeting Wayanad landslides survivors, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said: "We have spent a whole day meeting people who have suffered. It's an immense tragedy. We can only imagine the kind of pain the people are suffering. We are here to give as much comfort and support. There has been a big tragedy in Himachal Pradesh as well. Tomorrow, we plan to sit and chalk out how we can help especially the children who are left on their own now."
While there, Rahul Gandhi also said: "Today I feel how I felt when my father died. I remember what I felt when my father died...and here people have not just lost a father, they have lost their entire family. So, I know what I felt and this is much worse than that, and it's not one person who is feeling it, it's thousands of people who are feeling it."
Search & Rescue Ops Underway
Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are underway in the landslide affected areas in Wayanad, even after two days since the disaster hit the hilly hamlets.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, Major General VT Mathew said that the forces are retrieving the bodies now.
"Right now, we are only retrieving the bodies. If there is anyone who is trapped in houses then we will rescue them. But it is a difficult task during the rains. 3 Army dogs are deployed here... We stop the rescue operations in the evening as it is dangerous. Our 5 teams are deployed here for the rescue operations," he said.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanaka Gandhi were scheduled to visit Wayanad on July 31 However, due to the adverse weather conditions and incessant rains, they were informed by the authorities that they won't be able to land.
As a result their visit was postponed to today. They landed at Kannur airport at 9.30 am and then travelled to Wayanad by road.
Torrential rains triggered massive landslides in Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala, and Noolpuzha in the early hours of Tuesday, killing 167 people, including women and children.