Centre sanctions Rs 260.56 crore for Wayanad rehabilitation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The central government has approved Rs 260.56 crore for the rehabilitation of Wayanad, which was devastated by a landslide disaster. The aid was sanctioned from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) by a high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Kerala had sought Rs 2,221 crore. This is the first special package sanctioned by the Centre for Wayanad’s rebuilding. A total of Rs 4,645.60 crore has been allocated to nine states, including Rs 1,270.78 crore for Assam, which faced a landslide disaster in 2022.

Additionally, the Centre has earmarked Rs 2,444.42 crore for flood-control measures in cities across the country. Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, is part of the second phase of the Urban Flood Risk Management Project.

Earlier, Kerala had received Rs 529.50 crore as a loan for disaster management, along with Rs 153 crore in July for the same purpose. Chief Minister had written to the Prime Minister seeking a special package for Wayanad, while Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, along with UDF MPs, had met Amit Shah to press for the demand.