Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan Offers Condolences After Wayanad Landslides
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 30: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan expressed his condolences following the tragic landslides in the Meppadi area of Wayanad. The landslides, which occurred in the early hours of July 30, resulted in the deaths of at least 44 people and injured around 70 others.
Governor Khan stated, “My heart goes out to all those families. I have been told that so far our teams have not been able to reach the landslide site due to heavy rain and that the river has changed its course.”
Kerala Minister MB Rajesh reported that 250 people have been rescued and moved to temporary shelters. He added that rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing, with the Chief Minister closely monitoring the situation and sending a team of ministers to Wayanad.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor commented, “It is a very serious situation. I hope and pray that more lives will not be in peril. We need to get action on the ground as soon as possible.” Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are expected to visit the affected area.
CPI leader Annie Raja emphasized the need to declare the tragedy a national disaster. She noted that the Kerala government is doing its best to reach and save people, with ministers already meeting victims in hospitals. The Prime Minister has contacted the Kerala government and announced financial support for those affected.
The landslides have impacted Meppadi, Mundakkal Town, and Chooralmala areas. The state health minister has dispatched rescue personnel, medical equipment, and health workers to various hospitals in the region.
To support the relief efforts, the Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD), Kerala, has established district and state-level media control rooms. These will operate 24/7 to provide official updates and announcements. The district control room is based at the Wayanad Civil Station, supervised by Kannur and Kozhikode Deputy Directors, and coordinated by Wayanad District Information Officer P Rasheed Babu. The contact number is 0483-2734387. The state-level control room, located at the Secretariat, can be reached at 0471-2327628 or 2518637.
Doubts Revealed
Kerala Governor -: The Governor is a person who represents the President of India in a state. Arif Mohammad Khan is the current Governor of Kerala.
Condolences -: Condolences are expressions of sympathy and sorrow for someone who has experienced a loss, like when people die in an accident.
Wayanad -: Wayanad is a district in the state of Kerala, India. It is known for its beautiful hills and forests.
Landslides -: Landslides happen when a lot of earth, rocks, and debris slide down a hill or mountain, often caused by heavy rain.
Rescue operations -: Rescue operations are efforts made by people like firefighters and police to save others who are in danger, like after a landslide.
Kerala Minister MB Rajesh -: MB Rajesh is a politician and a minister in the Kerala state government. He is helping with the relief efforts.
Congress leaders -: Congress is a major political party in India. Its leaders are also helping with the relief efforts in Wayanad.
CPI leader Annie Raja -: Annie Raja is a leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI), another political party. She wants the landslide to be called a national disaster.
National disaster -: A national disaster is a very serious event that affects many people and needs help from the entire country.
Control rooms -: Control rooms are places where people manage and coordinate rescue and relief efforts, like giving updates and sending help.
