Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kannur at around 11 am on Saturday, where he was received by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. From there, the Prime Minister took an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter to conduct an aerial survey of the landslide-affected villages in Kerala's Wayanad district, including Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Punchirimattom. He was accompanied by the Chief Minister, the Governor, and the Union Minister of State for Tourism, Petroleum, and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi.
The aerial survey was part of a comprehensive visit by PM Modi to assess the scale of devastation caused by the landslides. Following the survey, the Prime Minister is expected to carry out an on-ground inspection of the affected areas to get a closer look at the damage. During this inspection, rescue teams will brief him on the ongoing evacuation operations and the challenges they face in providing relief to the affected communities.
One of the key stops during PM Modi's visit will be a relief camp where over 10,000 people have taken shelter after being displaced by the landslides. The Prime Minister's visit to the camp is seen as a critical gesture of support for those who have lost their homes and loved ones in the disaster.
Later in the day, PM Modi is scheduled to chair a review meeting to receive a detailed update on the relief and rehabilitation efforts being coordinated by the state and central governments. The meeting will involve key stakeholders, including local officials and representatives from disaster management agencies, to ensure that the relief measures are effectively addressing the needs of the affected population.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and MP from Wayanad expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for his visit. In a statement on social media platform X, Gandhi said, "Thank you, Modi ji, for visiting Wayanad to take stock of the terrible tragedy. This is a good decision. I am confident that once the Prime Minister sees the extent of the devastation firsthand, he will declare it a national disaster."
The call to declare the Wayanad landslides a "national disaster" has been echoed by several Members of Parliament from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, including Rahul Gandhi. Such a declaration would pave the way for the release of additional funds for relief and rehabilitation, ensuring that the affected regions receive the necessary resources to rebuild and recover from the catastrophe.
As the situation in Wayanad remains critical, PM Modi's visit underscores the central government's commitment to supporting Kerala in its time of need, while also highlighting the severity of the disaster and the importance of swift and coordinated relief efforts.
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