Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi to Visit Wayanad's Landslide-Hit Zones

Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi will visit Wayanad on August 1 to meet families affected by the recent landslide that claimed 158 lives. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister George Kurian also reviewed rescue efforts. Over 1200 rescue workers and defense personnel are currently aiding in the relief operations.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, top leaders of Congress, are set to visit Wayanad on Thursday, August 1. Their agenda includes meeting families impacted by the recent landslide in the hilly region of Meppadi, which has claimed 158 lives, and visiting relief camps established in local schools and medical facilities.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting on Wednesday morning to assess the ongoing rescue operations in the landslide-affected areas of Wayanad. He will also be in Wayanad on August 1 for a state-level all-party meeting regarding the disaster. Union Minister George Kurian visited the affected zones today, interacting with survivors in the relief camps. Meanwhile, a nine-member state minister delegation is on-site assessing the relief efforts.

A comprehensive rescue operation is underway involving 1200 personnel from the Indian Army, Territorial Army, DSC Centre, NDRF, Indian Navy, and IAF. Navy teams from Ezhimala Naval Base have reached Chooralmala, while an Army canine unit is aiding in the search for bodies under the debris. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is also actively participating in rescue and relief measures, supported by their Disaster Relief Teams from Kochi and Beypore.

Chief Minister Vijayan announced that 45 relief camps have been set up in Wayanad district, sheltering over 3000 rehabilitated individuals. On receiving inputs from local authorities and villagers, a team from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) Madras, led by Sub Gijil, Sub Jayesh, and Nb Sub Anilkumar, rescued 19 civilians stranded in ElaResort and VanaRani resort beyond Mundakai village, according to the Defence PRO for Kerala.

(With inputs from agencies.)