PM Modi Reaches Kerala, Conducts Aerial Survey of Wayanad After Landslides Wreak Havoc

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kannur at 11 am on Saturday before taking an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter to Kerala's Wayanad district.

He conducted an aerial survey of the landslide-affected villages of Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Punchirimattom, accompanied by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Union Minister of State for Tourism, Petroleum, and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi.

Photo Credit: PTI

During the survey, PM Modi observed the landslide's origin, located at the source of the Iruvazhinji River.

Following this, he is scheduled to conduct an on-ground inspection of the affected areas and receive a briefing on the ongoing evacuation efforts by rescue teams.

The Prime Minister is also expected to visit a relief camp housing over 10,000 displaced individuals.

Later, PM Modi will convene a review meeting for an in-depth briefing on the incident and the extensive relief efforts being coordinated in response to the disaster.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed gratitude to PM Modi for visiting the affected region.

"Thank you, Modi ji, for visiting Wayanad to personally 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," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

PM Modi's visit follows calls from several MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, urging the Centre to declare the Wayanad landslides a "national disaster."

Such a declaration would facilitate the release of additional funds for relief and rehabilitation efforts.