Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi express grief over Wayanad landslide

Wayanad(Kerala), Jul 7 (PTI) Congress MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her brother Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday expressed grief over the landslide in the hill district that claimed three lives and assured all support possible to those affected. Vadra, in an X post, said that all efforts are on to rescue those still trapped in the landslide. Of the 18 people who were affected by the landslide, five are still missing and 10 are undergoing treatment. Rahul, the former Congress MP from Wayanad, extended condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and said that the Congress-led UDF will stand with every family affected by the tragedy. Vadra said that Chief Minister V D Satheesan was monitoring the relief efforts himself and everyone was coordinating with the District administration, ministers T Siddique and AP Anil Kumar, who reached the landslide site, local party functionaries and concerned authorities. She further said that the police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been at the site for some time and the State Disaster Response Force teams and civil defence volunteers have also reached the area. "My deepest condolences to those who have lost precious family members. We will be by your side through this terrible time and give you every support possible. "Our prayers and hope for those who have still not been found; may they stay strong while rescue efforts attempt to reach them and may their loved ones who wait for them have courage at this painful moment," she said in her post. She also appealed to UDF workers, functionaries and members of the public to provide all possible support while strictly following the administration's guidelines. "At a time like this, we need to ensure that relief and rescue efforts are not hampered and we ensure all possible help without causing any distractions," the Congress MP said. In his X post, Rahul said, "The news of the landslide in Wayanad is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected." He further said that the relief and rescue operations are underway, and every possible effort is being made to reach those still trapped. "I appeal to all Congress and UDF workers to extend any assistance in this time of need. "Wayanad has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity before, and together, we will stand by every affected family through this tragedy," he said. In view of the red alert issued in the district by the IMD, the district administration declared July 8 as a holiday for all educational institutions in Wayanad. The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi here, where work on a tunnel road project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts was underway. The mishap site comes under the Meppady panchayat, which witnessed the tragic 2024 landslide as well. PTI HMP ROH