Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the recent landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad as “not normal” during a review meeting on Saturday. Over 200 lives have been lost in this devastating disaster, with more than 130 individuals still missing.
PM Modi stated, “I have been closely monitoring the landslide situation from the moment I learned about it. All relevant Central Government agencies were mobilised immediately.” He further asserted, “This disaster is not normal. The dreams of thousands of families have been shattered. I have personally witnessed the situation on the ground, met victims at relief camps, and visited injured patients in the hospital.”
During the review, the PM pledged the Centre’s full support to Kerala for rehabilitation efforts. He assured that the Central Government will make every effort to meet the State Government’s requests.
The meeting was attended by Kerala 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. Modi and Vijayan also conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas and met survivors at a relief camp.
The Kerala Government has requested that the disaster be declared a national calamity. In response, the Central Government has formed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to assess the situation in the affected areas.
In the meantime, assistance will be provided to those affected in Mundakkai and Chooralmala. Families who have lost their livelihood will receive a daily allowance of Rs. 300, with the benefit available to up to two individuals per family.
