Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Wayanad on August 10 to view and observe the disaster several parts of the district suffered recently. Prime Minister, accompanied by Union Minister Suresh Gopi, reached Kannur airport by 11.30 am and from there he went to Kalppetta by helicopter. Governor Dr Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accorded a warm reception to the Prime Minister on his arrival at Kannur.
During his helicopter journey, he undertook an aerial survey of the disaster-hit areas including Chooralmala, Mundakkai and Punchirivattom, and also the intensity of the calamity. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was with him on board.
From Kalppetta, Prime Minister and the entourage including the state Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Secretary V. Venu IAS and Union Minister Suresh Gopi drove to Meppadi to visit the disaster-hit Chooralmala. At Chooralmala, military officers explained the disaster to the Prime Minister. Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and Additional Director General of Police were with the PM. NDRF officers and Special Group Officers were also with the PM when he walked through the landslide-hit area to get fist hand glimpse of the killer calamities.
Then PM visited relief camps and interacted with the victims who have lost their family members, relatives, neighbours and close friends. He pacified them.
#WATCH | Kerala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the relief camp to meet and interact with the victims and survivors of the landslide in Wayanad.
(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/EK0GxrJuSp
— ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2024
Prime Minister’s next destination was the hospital where lot of victims undergo treatments. He met the patients and interacted with nine victims who were undergoing treatment there. The Prime Minister visited Vellarmala school and the nearby houses. He enquired about the children who are orphaned by the grave disaster. He also asked about the plan for the future of the children. PM assured that he would stand with the affected persons. He paid tributes before the pictures of the deceased. He interacted with the soldiers of the Forces.
PM walked over the Bailey bridge which the military engineers constructed in record time as the bridge which existed there was washed out in the landslides.
After surveying the ground realities, Prime Minister went to District Collectorate for a stock-taking meeting with the state government leadership. State Government is reported to have submitted a memorandum before the PM for a Rs 2,000 crore package for the initial relief activities. It was for reconstruction. Other requirements will be submitted later. Reports suggest that it is based on the studies and evaluations carried out by the Central Team, consisting of the representatives from nine different Central Ministries. The Team visited the affected areas on August 9.
Addressing the meeting Prime Minister said that Centre would executive several schemes and extend all possible succor to Wayanad. Money will not be a hindrance. He referred to all Forces and organisations including Sevabharati who took active roles in relief activities. He shared his experiences in similar activities in 1970 in Gujarat.
Kerala Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the Prime Minister’s promises and sympathy. They told the media that PM has given assurance to consider the memorandum submitted by the Chief Minister which sought aid for the children’s education and skill development scheme for tiding over the unemployment of the victims.
It is expected that either PM or CM would declare the details of the package immediately.
