Kerala CM announces construction of safe township to rehabilitate those displaced by Wayanad tragedy

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has announced plans to establish a township in a secure location to rehabilitate those displaced by the devastating landslide in the Mundakkai region of Wayanad district.

During a press conference on Saturday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan outlined a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, which is set to be implemented swiftly. The government aims to complete this process efficiently and has received numerous offers from the global community to aid in the effort.

A 'Help for Wayanad' cell has been created under Joint Land Revenue Commissioner A. Geetha IAS to coordinate these offers. Vijayan explained that a new, safer location will be identified for the township's construction, and the Education Minister will visit Wayanad to ensure that the education of displaced children is not disrupted.

Among the significant offers, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan announced that senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will fund the construction of 100 houses for the rehabilitation effort. Satheesan will directly oversee the construction of 25 of these houses.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has pledged to construct 100 houses, and Vijayan has expressed gratitude for this support. Additionally, Sobha Realty Group and the Kozhikode-based Business Club have each committed to constructing 50 houses.

Vijayan also highlighted donations to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) from celebrities and senior Congress politicians.

As rescue operations in the landslide-hit areas entered their fifth day, rescuers have recovered more bodies and body parts, raising the death toll to 215, with approximately 206 individuals still reported missing. PTI