Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has effectively intervened in the rescue operations and rehabilitation activities in Mundakkai and Chooralmala of Wayanad district, where disastrous landslides nearly wiped out two villages, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He was speaking in the assembly on Monday during the adjournment motion moved by the opposition regarding the Wayanad disaster. 

The opposition demanded speedy rehabilitation work in the disaster-hit region and criticised the central government's indifference to the situation.

While speaking, the CM said that the government has not faltered in search operations and rehabilitation activities. He presented a list of work completed in the disaster-affected region to date. “The tragedy that occurred in this region has no parallels. The government has arranged rental houses for 794 families under various local self-governing bodies and shifted them within 28 days,” the CM said in the assembly.

The two schools in the region that were damaged in the landslides have been reopened temporarily. The government has also succeeded in bringing back 607 students to the schools. A solatium of ₹6 lakhs each was given to 131 families of victims of the tragedy. ₹10,000 each was provided for the funeral of 173 persons. ₹17.16 lakhs was distributed as financial assistance for those who suffered serious injuries in the landslides and spent more than a week in the hospital. ₹4.43 lakhs was allocated for eight individuals who spent less than a week in the hospital. Additionally, ₹10,000 was given as emergency financial assistance to 1,013 disaster-hit families in the region, the CM stated.

The government will take practical steps after discussing with those who have made promises regarding the construction of houses for the people of the region. Before initiating discussions with sponsors, the government needs to finalize the master plan for Wayanad township.

Other states have also contributed financial assistance to help rebuild Wayanad, the CM said. Andhra Pradesh (₹10 crores), Tamil Nadu (₹5 crores), Rajasthan (₹5 crores), Meghalaya (₹1.35 crores), and Karnataka (₹1 crore) have provided support for the rehabilitation of the people of Wayanad.