New Delhi: On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP, donated his entire one-month salary to support the relief and rehabilitation efforts for flood victims in Wayanad, Kerala. 

Gandhi called on the public to contribute to the cause, stressing the importance of collective support in helping the affected individuals rebuild their lives. "Our brothers and sisters in Wayanad have endured a devastating tragedy, and they need our support to recover from the unimaginable losses they have faced. I have donated my entire month's salary to aid in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. I sincerely urge all fellow Indians to contribute whatever they can—every little bit makes a difference," Gandhi posted on X .

He further encouraged donations through the @INCKerala fund via the Stand With Wayanad - INC app, adding, "Wayanad is a beautiful part of our country, and together, we can help rebuild the lives of its people who have lost so much."

During a discussion with local Congress leaders on Sunday, Gandhi addressed the relief efforts for the landslide-hit Wayanad region and emphasized the need to revitalize tourism there. "Wayanad is steadily recovering from the devastation caused by the tragic landslides. While there is still much to be done, it is heartening to witness people from all communities and organizations coming together in relief efforts," Gandhi stated on X.

He highlighted the importance of promoting tourism once the rains subside, noting that the landslide affected only a specific area and not the entire region. "It is important to note that the landslide was localized to a specific area in Wayanad, not the entire region. Wayanad remains a stunning destination and will soon be ready to welcome tourists from across India and the world with all its natural charm," Gandhi said.

Gandhi also pointed out critical areas needing attention in the relief efforts, such as poor interdepartmental coordination, inadequate compensation, and loss of livelihoods. "We need to focus on several issues: poor interdepartmental coordination in relief and rehabilitation, inadequate compensation, rent issues, loss of livelihoods including vehicles and plantations, and the impact on tourism," he remarked.

A recent study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) found that the landslides in Wayanad, which claimed hundreds of lives, were exacerbated by a burst of rainfall intensified by human-caused climate change.(ANI)