Suresh Gopi visits Chooralmala; Need to review legal aspects to declare tragedy a national disaster

Wayanad: Union minister Suresh Gopi on Sunday arrived at Chooralmala—one of the two areas worst affected by the landslides in Wayanad. His visit comes as the death toll has risen above 350, with at least 204 people still missing.

Gopi's visit is also speculated to increase the likelihood of the tragedy being declared a national disaster by the Union Government.

In response to media queries, Gopi stated that the legal aspects of declaring the Wayanad disaster a national disaster need to be examined. He emphasised the importance of addressing the mental health and resettlement of the disaster victims and mentioned that all matters are being assessed by the central government.

He said that he will put forth before the Central government everything he saw and understood after visiting the disaster-hit areas.

With regard to the assistance to be provided by the Centre to Kerala, Gopi said that the state has to assess the impact of the landslides and make a request.

"The state has to inform the Centre. Only thereafter can anything be said on providing assistance," he said.

Speaking about the ongoing search and rescue operation in the landslide-hit areas, Gopi said, "The army personnel who led the team leading me to the site to the maximum proximity he is of the opinion that if there are methods to scan and let us know then we will go on the hunt. So means they are not done. Rehabilitation of the mines should be the priority. That is what I am going to put. You cannot close in on the numbers because you know how domestic tourism happens. In each room, police will get a record of four persons in a room but there will be invariably ten-plus people in one room. So how do you get the numbers? One resort was fully taken away," Gopi told ANI.

Further, speaking on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to Wayanad, Gopi said, "He (Rahul Gandhi) has to come here as he is the MP of this place. This party has been holding the seat for a long time continuously."

During his visit to the disaster-stricken areas, Gopi spoke with military officials leading the rescue operations, who provided detailed explanations about the efforts underway. He also held discussions with Minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas.

Following the visit to the affected areas, a review meeting will be convened in the presence of the Collector.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, police, and other agencies resumed search operations on Sunday morning for those missing in the Wayanad landslides. By Saturday night, the confirmed death toll had reached 352 when the search operations were paused for the day.

State government agencies reported that 1,208 homes were destroyed in the multiple landslides that occurred on Tuesday in the district. Of these, 540 were in Mundakkal, 600 in Chooralmala, and 68 in Attamala regions of Wayanad district. Additionally, 3,700 acres of agricultural land were ravaged by the landslides, with an estimated loss of Rs 21.11 crore.

The Army has announced that it has restored connectivity in Punchirimattam, the epicentre of the devastating landslides. On Thursday, the Army's Madras Engineering Group completed the construction of a 190-foot Bailey bridge in record time. This bridge has restored access to Mundakkai and Chooralmala, areas severely impacted by the landslides.

Officials have stated that search and rescue operations will continue, as several people are still feared trapped in the debris. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Saturday that a secure region will be identified for the construction of a new township. He also stated that the Education Minister will visit the schools affected by the disaster to ensure that children’s education is not disrupted.

The massive landslides occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai.