Kalpetta: Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday visited the Kalladi landslide site for the first time, 18 days after the tragedy that claimed eight lives, even as questions had been raised locally over the delay in the constituency MP reaching the disaster-hit area.
During the visit, Priyanka inspected the landslide-hit tunnel construction site, interacted with affected families, officials and the construction agency, and later visited the injured undergoing treatment at Meppadi WIMS Hospital.
She assured those who lost their homes and family members that the government would provide all necessary assistance.
The visit came amid murmurs in Wayanad over the absence of the MP during the crucial days immediately after the July landslide, when rescue operations were underway, and eight people had lost their lives.
While Congress leaders maintained that she was monitoring the situation, Saturday marked her first visit to the disaster site.
Addressing a function organised by the district administration to honour those who led the rescue and relief operations, Priyanka praised the people of Wayanad for standing united whenever the district had faced a natural disaster.
She said the people of Wayanad had always stood together in times of crisis and helped those in distress.
Paying tribute to those who lost their lives, the MP said the rescue effort reflected the true spirit of the country, with volunteers and rescue personnel extending help without considering the victims’ state, religion or gender.
“They did not stop to ask where the victims came from, what religion they belonged to or who they were. They simply reached out to fellow human beings. This is the spirit of India, and it is this spirit that we must keep alive,” she said, while commending the courage and selfless service of everyone involved in the rescue and relief operations.
Rescue personnel from various agencies, volunteers, government officials, elected representatives and media personnel who participated in the operations were honoured at the function.
Earlier in the day, Priyanka inspected the landslide-affected areas at Kalladi, reviewed the damage at the tunnel construction site and met families displaced by the disaster.
She also interacted with workers from Madhya Pradesh who were injured in the landslide and are undergoing treatment, besides meeting the family of a critically injured worker in the intensive care unit.
The MP also held discussions with doctors and hospital authorities on the condition of those admitted. Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique, and MLAs I.C. Balakrishnan and Usha Vijayan accompanied the MP during the visit.
