Centre stands with Wayanad, says PM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the disaster-affected areas of Wayanad in Kerala on Saturday, and walked about half a kilometre in the worst-affected Chooralmala to form a firsthand assessment of the damage caused by the July 30 landslides that have killed nearly 400 people.

He also spoke to survivors and those injured in the landslides.

While the Prime Minister stopped short of announcing a relief package, he asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to send a detailed memorandum regarding the state's demands. He assured that the Centre would help the state with all necessary assistance.

Modi arrived at the Kannur International Airport in the morning. He was welcomed by Governor Arif Mohammad Khanm Chief Minister Vijayan, and Union minister Suresh Gopi.

He then boarded a defence helicopter to conduct an aerial survey of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala, the most-affected areas. A senior officer briefed Modi on the scale of the disaster during the flight.

After the helicopter landed at a temporary helipad set up at Kalpetta, Modi went to Chooralmala. He walked for almost 500 metres through the devastated areas. Chief Secretary V. Venu and ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar accompanied him.

Modi looked shaken passing the Vellarmala School, which was destroyed in the landslides. He inquired about the future of the students.

Subsequently, he crossed the Bailey bridge constructed by the Army. On the day of the disaster, flash floods triggered by a landslide had swept away the original bridge, isolating the area. The Army erected the Bailey bridge within 24 hours, aiding the rescue teams.

Modi also interacted with NDRF, Army, fire department, and police officials who were part of rescue efforts.

At the review meeting held at the Collectorate, the Chief Secretary and the collector made video presentations on the devastation and the comprehensive relief and rehabilitation programmes.

Chief Minister Vijayan also spoke about the short-term and long-term assistance needed.

The state government had earlier estimated that a `2,000-crore package would be required for the rehabilitation work. It had also demanded that the disaster be classified under the L3 category, which is similar to the declaration of a national disaster.

Modi, who spent two-and-a-half hours more than the scheduled time for his visit, returned to Delhi from Kannur.

After the review meeting at the Collectorate, Modi said "The dreams and lives of hundreds of families have been irrevocably destroyed. The devastation wrought by nature's fury is immense. I have personally witnessed the areas ravaged by landslides. I visited the relief camps and met with individuals who watched the devastation occur before their eyes and suffered the full impact of the tragedy."

"These affected individuals recounted their harrowing experiences to me in detail. I went to the hospital and met with those who have sustained various injuries in the disaster. They are in tremendous pain and enduring unspeakable mental anguish," he added.

Modi said the Wayanad disaster reminded him of the Morbi dam tragedy in 1979.

"I have witnessed a similar colossal tragedy up close. In 1979, the Morbi earthen dam in Gujarat failed after heavy rainfall, submerging the entire town of Morbi under ten to thirteen feet of water. The disaster claimed the lives of more than 2,500 people," he said.

He said that for six months he worked in the affected areas as a volunteer. "I fully understand what it's like to be trapped in mud and slush. I can empathise with what the families who were engulfed in slush and debris after the landslide must have endured," the Prime Minister said.

Modi said he did not visit Wayanad immediately after the landslide as he knew it would impede rescue operations.