Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka cancel visit to Wayanad; assures to reach soon

NEW DELHI: Former Wayanad MP and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has canceled his visit to the landslide-hit Wayanad. Rahul has informed that his visit is postponed due to the inclement weather. It was earlier informed that Rahul, his sister Priyanka Gandhi and K C Venugopal will visit the disaster area today.

‘Priyanka and I were scheduled to visit Wayanad tomorrow to meet the families affected by the landslides and take stock of the situation. However, due to incessant rain and adverse weather conditions, we have been informed by authorities that we will not be able to land there.

I want to assure the people of Wayanad that we will visit as soon as possible. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide all necessary assistance. Our thoughts are with the people of Wayanad at this difficult time,’ Rahul Gandh’s Facebook post said.

Rahul had raised the issue of the landslides in Mundakkai in the Parliament yesterday. The depth of the disaster is still unclear and many people have died, he said.

There was widespread damage. The central government should provide all possible support to the state. Treatment facilities should be provided. The ex-gratia announced should be increased and distributed to the families of the dead immediately. The recent landslides and mudslides in the areas adjacent to the Western Ghats are a cause for concern. Rahul also demanded that measures be taken in environmentally sensitive areas by determining the areas prone to landslides.