Moment of Silence for Wayanad Landslide Victims at Congress Meeting
The Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting in Parliament concluded with a moment of silence for the victims of the Wayanad landslides and the three UPSC aspirants who lost their lives due to flooding in Delhi. The meeting was held at the Central Hall, Parliament House, in New Delhi.
Three UPSC aspirants lost their lives in a flooding incident at the basement of the Rau’s IAS coaching centre in the national capital. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “A moment of silence for the lives lost in the Wayanad landslides. Our thoughts and prayers are with the numerous families battling this devastating tragedy.”
At least two massive landslides struck Kerala’s Wayanad on Tuesday morning, causing widespread destruction. The first occurred in Mundakkai, a town, and the second in Chooralmala. The landslides damaged houses and roads, uprooted trees, and swelled water bodies, hindering rescue operations. Relief and rescue efforts are currently underway.
The first landslide occurred at 2 am on July 30, followed by another at 4:10 am, causing immense damage to homes and livelihoods. Many areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala, have been isolated, and roads have been washed away. The Vellarmala GVH School was completely buried.
The Indian Army has ramped up its rescue operations in Kerala’s Wayanad following the devastating landslides, successfully evacuating more than 1,000 people from affected areas to safety. As of Wednesday morning, the bodies of around 70 victims have been recovered. Kerala is observing two days of mourning till Wednesday, and the national flag was flown at half mast at the state assembly.
On Tuesday, Union Minister George Kurian reached Wayanad to take stock of ongoing relief operations, where he interacted with senior officials of the NDRF, CRPF, and Army officials. He also visited a relief camp at Kalpetta. The Prime Minister’s Office has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.
Doubts Revealed
Wayanad -: Wayanad is a district in the state of Kerala, India. It is known for its beautiful hills and forests.
Landslide -: A landslide is when a large amount of earth, rocks, and debris suddenly slide down a slope, often causing damage.
Congress Parliamentary Party -: The Congress Parliamentary Party is a group of members of the Indian National Congress who are part of the Parliament of India.
UPSC -: UPSC stands for Union Public Service Commission. It is an organization in India that conducts exams to select people for various government jobs.
Delhi floods -: Delhi floods refer to the heavy rains and water overflow in Delhi, the capital city of India, which can cause damage and sometimes loss of life.
Indian Army -: The Indian Army is the land-based branch of the Indian Armed Forces. They help in rescue operations during disasters.
Prime Minister’s Office -: The Prime Minister’s Office is the office of the Prime Minister of India, who is the head of the government.
Compensation -: Compensation is money given to someone to help them recover from a loss or damage.
Mourning -: Mourning is a period of time when people show respect and sadness for someone who has died.
