Lagatar24 Desk
Wayanad: Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, announced on Friday that the Congress party will construct over 100 houses in Wayanad, a district severely affected by recent landslides. Gandhi, who is visiting relief camps in the region, emphasized the unprecedented nature of the disaster, which has claimed over 275 lives and destroyed numerous homes.
Speaking to the media, Gandhi expressed his commitment to raising awareness about the tragedy both in Delhi and with Kerala’s Chief Minister. “Kerala has not witnessed such a tragedy in a single area before,” he said. “We are here to help in any way possible. The Congress family would like to commit to building over 100 houses here.”
Since arriving in Wayanad, Gandhi has visited the landslide sites and relief camps, assessing the situation alongside local administration and panchayat members. He noted the extensive damage and the challenges faced by rescue workers, including difficult terrain and a shortage of heavy equipment.
“I have been here since yesterday. We went to the camps, we assessed the situation there. Today, we had a meeting with the administration and the panchayat. They briefed us on the number of casualties they expect, the number of houses that have been damaged, and their strategy,” Gandhi explained.
Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha, shared his personal anguish over the devastation, comparing his emotions to those he felt when his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated in 1991.
Accompanied by Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, who has been announced as the Lok Sabha candidate from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi has been actively participating in the relief efforts. The landslides have damaged approximately 350 buildings, with rescue operations involving 1,600 workers from the Army, Navy, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Despite the challenging conditions, the rescue teams continue their efforts to reach survivors and provide aid to the affected communities. The Congress party’s commitment to rebuilding homes offers a glimmer of hope for those devastated by the disaster.