Rahul Gandhi Pleads for Aid to Wayanad in Aftermath of Devastating Landslides

Rahul Gandhi urges the Indian government to provide extensive aid to Wayanad after catastrophic landslides claimed 158 lives. In Parliament, he emphasized technological solutions to prevent future disasters while Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized Kerala's preparedness despite early warnings.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday urged the central government to offer comprehensive support to Wayanad residents following devastating landslides that claimed 158 lives and injured many more. Addressing the Lok Sabha, Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition and a former MP from Wayanad, highlighted the ecological fragility of the region and stressed the need for technological solutions to prevent future disasters.

"It is a huge tragedy in Wayanad, and the military is doing a commendable job there. I think it's essential that we support the people of Wayanad with as much assistance as possible. I request the government to aid the people of Wayanad during this challenging time," Gandhi stated. "This is the second occurrence of such a tragedy in five years, and it's evident that the area has ecological issues that require high-tech solutions," he added.

The Kerala Revenue Department reported that the death toll from the landslides in the hilly Meppadi area of Wayanad district on Tuesday had risen to 158. Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Kerala government for not acting on the central government's early warnings, which could have minimized the losses. "Early warnings were issued, prompting us to deploy nine NDRF teams on July 23 and send three more yesterday. The Kerala government should have heeded these warnings, but now is the time to stand with the people of Kerala, regardless of politics," Shah said in the Rajya Sabha. Search and rescue operations continue at the landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad, with over 1200 personnel from multiple agencies, including the Indian Army and NDRF, actively involved.