Priyanka Gandhi visits Kalladi debris slip site

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday (July 25) visited debris slip-hit Kalladi near Meppadi, where eight people were killed and nine others injured earlier this month.

Ms. Vadra inspected the site of the July 7 debris slip in the Wayanad tunnel road construction zone. She held discussions with residents, elected representatives, district officials, and representatives of Dilip Buildcon, the contractor executing the project.

During the visit, Ashraf Pulikkalakkath of Kalladi, along with his wife and children, met the Congress leader and shared their concerns after losing their house in the disaster. Ms. Vadra assured the family that the government would extend all possible assistance.

The Wayanad MP later visited the injured undergoing treatment at WIMS Hospital, Meppadi. She interacted with Rajneesh and Suraj Yadav, both natives of Madhya Pradesh, who are receiving treatment at the hospital, and also met the family members of another injured worker, Dileep, who remains in the intensive care unit.

Ms. Vadra discussed the condition of the injured with doctors and the hospital authorities.

Later, addressing a felicitation programme organised by the district administration at Krishna Gowder Hall, Puliyarmala, to honour those who led the search, rescue and relief operations, she said the people of Wayanad had always stood united whenever the district faced a natural disaster.

“Whenever Wayanad has witnessed a natural disaster, its people have come together and done everything possible to help those in distress,” she said.

The Congress leader praised rescue personnel and volunteers for extending help without discrimination.

“Those involved in the rescue operations did not stop to ask which State the victims came from, what religion they belonged to, or what their gender was. They simply reached out to fellow human beings in need. This is the soul of India, and it is this spirit that we must keep alive,” Ms. Vadra said, while paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the disaster.

Personnel from emergency response forces, volunteers, government officials, people’s representatives, and journalists who took part in the search, rescue and relief operations were honoured at the function.

Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique, MLAs I.C. Balakrishnan and Usha Vijayan, Wayanad district panchayat president Chandrika Krishnan, District Collector D.R. Meghashree and others attended the programme.

Ms. Vadra also reviewed the progress of houses being constructed by the Congress for survivors of the Chooralmala-Mundakkai disaster.