Wayanad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kerala on Saturday to assess the aftermath of the recent devastating landslides that have claimed at least 226 lives in Wayanad and left many others unaccounted for. The Prime Minister’s visit comes amid ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in the disaster-hit region.

The Prime Minister conducted an aerial survey of the landslide-ravaged Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Punchirimattom hamlets. The PM arrived at the Kannur Airport on Saturday at 11.10 am in the Indian Air Force's Air India One aircraft. He was received at the airport by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, MLA KK Shailaja, Chief Secretary Dr V Venu, DGP Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, District Collector Arun K Vijayan and City Police Commissioner Ajith Kumar. Union Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi accompanied the Prime Minister on the flight. After the reception, the Prime Minister departed for Wayanad at 11.17 am in an Air Force helicopter. He was accompanied by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Union Minister Suresh Gopi in the same helicopter.

The PM conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas before landing in Kalpetta. He spent over 50 minutes on the land struck by the disaster. He walked on the Bailey Bridge and later reached Meppadi to visit the survivors at the St Joseph relief camp. From the camp, he left for WIMS Hospital in Wayanad, where he met survivors under treatment. Later, PM Modi chaired a detailed review meeting with officials to discuss the ongoing relief efforts and future rehabilitation strategies for the disaster-hit areas. In the meeting, he said Kerala was not alone in this time of distress and that the Centre would help revive Wayanad in every way possible.

The ongoing search and rescue operations were paused during the Prime Minister’s visit on Saturday, with operations set to resume on Sunday. Rescue teams have so far recovered 197 body parts, and 78 people remain hospitalised.

Kerala seeks Rs 2,000 crore aid
A day before Modi's visit, the Kerala government’s cabinet sub-committee met with a central team led by Rajeev Kumar, Joint Secretary with the Ministry of Home Affairs, to discuss the scale of the disaster. The Kerala government has sought Rs 2,000 crore in assistance for the region’s rehabilitation and relief efforts, citing significant losses in residential areas, agriculture, and infrastructure. The central team acknowledged the massive impact of the disaster and indicated that a detailed study would be needed.

The state government has initiated plans to rehabilitate those displaced by the landslides into 125 houses, including government quarters, which have been identified for this purpose. The cleaning work in the disaster-stricken areas is expected to take around 90 days. In the meantime, 23 relief camps continue to operate in Wayanad, housing over 2,200 people.

Rahul Gandhi calls for declaration of national disaster
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi welcomed PM Modi’s decision to visit Wayanad, expressing hope that the Prime Minister would declare the disaster a national emergency after witnessing the devastation firsthand. Gandhi, who formerly represented Wayanad in the Lok Sabha, emphasized the need for comprehensive aid and support for the region.

"Thank you, Modi ji, for visiting Wayanad to personally take stock of the terrible tragedy. This is a good decision," Gandhi said in a post on X.

"I am confident that once the Prime Minister sees the extent of the devastation firsthand, he will declare it a national disaster," the former Congress chief said.