Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi welcomes Centre's declaration of landslide as disaster of severe nature

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Centre has officially declared the Wayanad landslide in Kerala as a “Disaster of Severe Nature,” a decision welcomed by local MP Priyanka Gandhi. She expressed her gratitude for the move emphasizing that it will aid rehabilitation efforts for the affected residents. Priyanka Gandhi on social media thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah calling the declaration a positive step and urged for the swift allocation of adequate funds to assist in the recovery process. The tragic landslide which struck in July caused widespread devastation in Wayanad with four villages being swept away. The disaster left 231 people dead with 47 still missing. A total of 145 homes were completely destroyed 170 partially damaged and 240 rendered uninhabitable. The Kerala government had requested this declaration five months ago and it comes after the state had already received financial assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund for immediate relief efforts.

While the Centre’s decision is a step forward there is no response yet regarding Kerala’s other demands including debt waivers for affected individuals and additional funds for ongoing relief operations. The state had also asked for a special financial package for reconstruction. This development follows a recent Kerala High Court ruling that allowed the state government to acquire two estates for the construction of townships to fully rehabilitate the displaced residents. The identified sites including Harrison Malayalam Estate and Elston Estate will be used for this purpose. The court has instructed that fair compensation be provided to the landowners under the Disaster Management Act. This official recognition of the landslide as a severe disaster marks a significant milestone in the ongoing recovery efforts for those affected in Wayanad with further steps expected to ensure proper rehabilitation and reconstruction.