Wayanad, Aug 10 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited the landslide devastated areas of Wayanad district in Kerala to get the firsthand view of the destruction caused by the landslides on July 30.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister Suresh Gopi accompanied Modi.
Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at Kannur international airport around 1110 hours and left for Wayanad by a helicopter accompanied by Governor, Chief Minister and the Union Minister.
He also conducted an aerial survey of the disaster areas at Chooralmala, Mundakkai and Punchirimattam to evaluate the extent of the damage, before landing at SKJM school ground helipad at Kalpetta.
Modi left Kalpetta to reach Chooralmala, which was 18 Km away from Kalpetta by road and reached Chooralmala at 1317 hours. Modi spent about 50 minutes at Chooralmala. The Prime Minister visited the Vellarmala GVHSS school campus to see the damage condition of the school and also enquired about the school students' including their continued study and future plans for rehabilitating them.
Abut 32 students of this school died in the tragedy. Later, he walked through the crucial bailey bridge constructed by the Army personnel to connect Chooralmala and Mundakkai for rescue operations on July 31 along with the Governor, CM and Union Minister Suresh Gopi.
He met District Collector Meghasree D.R and Chief Secretary V Venu, ADGP Ajith Kumar and interacted with the NDRF and Special Operation Group (SOG) commandos, who were camping at the disaster site for search operation.
NDRF Director General of Police (DGP) Piyush Anand explained the details about the rescue operations between July 30 to August 10 by showing the landslide sketch.
The Prime Minister appreciated the Army and rescue personnel for the construction of Bailey bridge and praised their tireless rescue works to rescue the victims.
Later, Modi and Union Minister walked around 600 metres through devastated areas to see the impact of the landslide and enquired abut the details.
Chief Secretary, District Collector Meghasree and ADGP replied to the queries of the Prime Minister.
He left Chooralmala at 1408 hours to reach the relief camp functioning at St Joseph School at Meppadi. Modi spent around 25 minutes and interacted with the 12 victims including doctors and paramedical staff, staying there.
The PM also interacted with Muhammed Hani (16) and Lavanya (14), who lost all the family members.
The landslide disaster affected over 4200 people in three wards in Vellarimala village in Meppadi Panchayat.
Later, Modi visited Dr Moopen's Medical College hospital (WIMS) to see the condition of the 49 people undergoing treatment there.
He interacted with 6 patients including Avanthika (8), Dr Sweekruti Mahapatra of Odisha, Anil, Arun, Jaseena and Rasheeda and consoled them.
Later the PM visited Kalpetta collectorate to attend the review meeting organized by the State Government and District Administration.
Chief Secretary V Venu briefed Modi about the death toll, and gave a representation about the density of the disaster and the proposed estimated cost for rehabilitation.
The Prime Minister held a discussion with the top officials, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the Chief Minister.
One of the main demands of the State government is to classify the Wayanad landslides under L3 category and declare as a "National Disaster".
Another demand of the state government is Rs 2000 crore assistance from the Central Government for the reconstruction of landslide hit areas in Wayanad .The review meeting lasted for about 40 minutes.
The Prime Minister later left for Kannur Airport from Kalpetta SKMJ school ground.
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