PM Modi Conducts Aerial Survey of Landslide-Hit Wayanad, Visits Relief Camps

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Kannur airport in Kerala on Saturday morning, en route to Wayanad, which was severely impacted by a devastating landslide on July 30. The disaster has tragically resulted in 416 deaths, with over 150 people still missing. Modi is being accompanied by Suresh Gopi, Union Minister of State for Tourism and a prominent actor-turned-politician, who is the sole BJP MP from Kerala. Upon his arrival at the airport, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and other senior officials from both the Central and state governments.

Following his reception, PM Modi, along with his delegation, departed for Wayanad via helicopter, with the aircraft scheduled to land at Kalpetta. Before landing, Modi will conduct an aerial survey of the four villages in Kalpetta that were severely affected by the landslide. In Wayanad, the Prime Minister is expected to visit hospitals to meet with patients, as well as several relief camps that are currently providing shelter to more than 10,700 individuals displaced by the disaster.

Subsequently, Modi will lead a review meeting, attended by Governor Khan, Chief Minister Vijayan, and other key officials. After concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Kannur airport by around 3:30 p.m. before departing for New Delhi.

This visit by PM Modi follows swift action by the Central Government in response to the landslide, including the deployment of over 1,200 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), as well as the Army, Air Force, Navy, Fire Services, and Civil Defence, among others. Additionally, more than 100 ambulances, along with medical teams, have been mobilized to provide necessary medical care and support. A key development in the ongoing rescue operations has been the construction of a 190-foot Bailey bridge by the Indian Army in Wayanad. Completed in just 71 hours, the bridge has been instrumental in enabling the movement of heavy machinery and ambulances, facilitating the rescue of approximately 200 individuals who were stranded due to the destruction of the original bridge.

Furthermore, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) was dispatched by the Central Government to assess the affected areas in the state. The team has been conducting an on-ground evaluation in Wayanad over the past two days and is expected to conclude its visit on Saturday.