“I feel how I felt when my father died…”: Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Visit Wayanad Landslide Sites and Relief Camps, Pledge Support for Survivors

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday visited the landslide-affected Chooralmala area in Wayanad, Kerala, to assess the damage and meet with those impacted by the disaster. The landslides, triggered by heavy rains, have claimed over 250 lives, left hundreds injured, and around 220 people are missing. Following their visit, Rahul Gandhi described the situation as a "terrible tragedy" for Wayanad, Kerala, and the nation.

"It is painful to see how many people have lost family members and their homes. We will try to help and ensure that the survivors receive the assistance they need. Many want to be relocated, and there is much work to be done here," Gandhi said. He expressed deep empathy and said, "Today, I feel how I felt when my father died. Here, people have not just lost a father but an entire family. The whole nation’s attention is focused on Wayanad."

During their visit, Rahul Gandhi and his sister toured the landslide site, a hospital, and relief camps. "It is quite a painful experience to see that people have lost their family members and homes. It’s very difficult to speak to people in these circumstances because you really don’t know what to say to them. It’s been quite a difficult day for me, but we are going to try and help make sure that the survivors get what is their due,” said Rahul Gandhi describing the experience as deeply painful. Gandhi and Vadra also inspected the temporary wooden walkway and Bailey Bridge construction in Chooralmala, navigating the rain and muddy terrain to better understand the situation.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed similar sentiments, and stated that the predicament of the people of the terrain is “unimaginable.” "The pain people in the area are experiencing is unimaginable. We are here to provide as much support and comfort as possible,” said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. She also mentioned a similar tragedy in Himachal Pradesh and noted plans to meet and discuss further assistance, particularly for children who have been affected.

The rescue operations are ongoing, with the Army having rescued around 1,000 people. However, 220 people remain missing as efforts continue into their third day. The Army has set up a Command and Control Centre in Kozhikode to coordinate humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Kerala Health Minister Veena George reported the deployment of 1,500 Army personnel and forensic surgeons to aid in the rescue and recovery. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heavy rain in several districts, including Idukki, Thrissur, and Malappuram.