Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted the central government’s support for Kerala and assured that no work will be hampered due to lack of funds.
PM Modi chaired a review meeting in Wayanad on Saturday after conducting aerial and on-the-ground surveys of the affected sites. During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized that the central government would make every effort to fulfill all state government requests. He mentioned that as soon as he was informed about the situation in Wayanad when the landslides occurred, a Minister of State was dispatched to the state to assess the situation. Additionally, NDRF, Army, and Air Force teams were deployed for rescue and relief operations.
“I spoke with CM Pinarayi Vijayan the morning the incident occurred and assured him that we would provide assistance and try to reach the spot as soon as possible. NDRF, SDRF, Army, Police, and Doctors all worked to help the victims promptly. All central government agencies were mobilized immediately,” PM Modi said.
“I want to assure the families of the deceased that they are not alone. We stand with them. The Central Government is committed to supporting the Kerala Government and will ensure no work is hindered due to financial constraints,” he added.
The Prime Minister expressed that his heart felt heavy as he visited the landslide-hit sites and met the survivors at the relief camp. He underscored the importance of collective efforts in rehabilitation.
“This disaster is unprecedented. The dreams of thousands of families have been shattered. I have seen the situation firsthand. I met the victims at the relief camps and visited the injured patients in the hospital,” he noted.
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The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Muhammed Khan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, State Ministers A Rajan, AK Saseendran, PA Mohammed Riyas, and Kerala ADGP (law and order) MR Ajith Kumar.
Meanwhile, 171 personnel from Pangode Military Station, who were deployed in Wayanad for rescue operations, returned on Saturday. The personnel were given a grand reception upon their return at Pangode Station. As of now, 12 personnel remain deployed in Wayanad to continue rescue efforts.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi visited a relief camp and met survivors of the landslides in Wayanad. He undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas before physically visiting the disaster sites to review relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Muhammed Khan, and Union Minister Suresh Gopi accompanied the Prime Minister in the helicopter. During the on-the-ground review, PM Modi was briefed on the situation by Kerala ADGP (law and order) MR Ajith Kumar.
The state has requested the central government to declare the incident a national disaster and severe calamity. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has been constituted by the Central Government to visit the affected areas and review the situation from August 8 to August 10.
The Kerala government has assured immediate assistance to those affected by the landslides, helping them relocate. Those affected in Mundakkai and Chooralmala will receive this assistance. An adult member from families who have lost their livelihood will receive a daily allowance of Rs. 300. This benefit will be available for up to two individuals per family.
Over 300 people lost their lives when massive landslides hit Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad on July 30.
(IPUTS FROM ANI)
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