Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-stricken areas in this north Kerala district on Saturday, where landslides have claimed hundreds of lives.
PM Modi carried out the survey of the landslide-affected Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Punchirimattom hamlets aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter. He departed from Kannur Airport at approximately 11:15 am en route to Wayanad. Accompanying him on the survey were Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan joined PM Modi on the aerial survey.
During the survey, PM Modi inspected the origin of the landslide at Iruvazhinji Puzha (River) and observed the severely impacted areas of Punchirimattam, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala. Following the aerial inspection, he will visit the affected locations to receive updates from rescue teams on ongoing evacuation operations.
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PM Modi is also scheduled to oversee rehabilitation efforts and visit relief camps and hospitals to meet with victims and survivors of the landslide. After his site visits, the Prime Minister will chair a review meeting to be briefed on the incident and the ongoing relief operations.
The massive landslides that struck Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad on July 30 have caused widespread devastation. According to the district administration, 226 bodies have been recovered and 403 body parts have been found.
In a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state has requested the central government to declare the event a national disaster and severe calamity. The Kerala state government has pledged immediate assistance to those affected, including relocation support.
Affected families in Mundakkai and Chooralmala will receive financial aid, with a daily allowance of Rs. 300 for up to two adult members per family who have lost their livelihoods. Families with bedridden or long-term hospitalized members will receive an allowance for up to three individuals. This support will be provided for 30 days.
Additionally, each family currently residing in relief camps will be given immediate financial aid of Rs. 10,000.
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