DMK leader TKS Elangovan demands to declare Wayanad landslides as national calamity

On PM Narendra Modi's visit to Wayanad, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said, "He( PM Modi) went there after everything was over. He says that it is not a national calamity. I think Kerala is not a part of this country."

He also addressed the Congress' demand to declare the landslide in Wayanad a 'national calamity,' questioning why the government collects funds for disaster relief if it does not recognize such disasters as national calamities.

Elangovan said, "Is it not a calamity that an entire village is spoiled, and there are hundreds of deaths in that area? What else is a national calamity? I dont understand."

Speaking further, he questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain a national calamity. "The entire country should be affected by rain, and the entire people should die! Is it not a calamity that an entire village is spoiled, and there are hundreds of deaths in that area? What else is a national calamity? I dont understand... If there is no national calamity, then why does the PM collect funds for calamity relief? What is the purpose of collecting funds", said TKS Elangovan.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor demanded to declare the Wayanad tragedy as a national disaster.

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said, "I hope that with PM Modi's visit, the government will now make it a point to go ahead and declare this a national disaster so that the appropriate level of assistance can follow."

Congress veteran Harish Rawat also demanded the same.

"The matter of Wayanad is a natural disaster and there should not be any politics on it. The PM has given a good message by keeping Wayanad his priority. This message will strengthen even further if he declares it a national disaster," Harish Rawat said.

Prime Minister visited Wayanad on Saturday and conducted aerial as well as on-the-ground surveys taking stock of the situation while the rescue operations were still underway.

He said that the central government is standing alongside the state government for all assistance and relief work.

Prime Minister said that he has been keeping a close watch on the rescue efforts in Wayanad and has been in constant touch with the authorities. He said disaster management funds have already been released and the remaining part will also be released immediately.

The Prime Minister also met those who were injured and interacted with those housed at relief camps. During the review meeting, PM Modi reassured that the Central Government and the country are with the disaster-affected victims in this hour of grief.

PM Modi stressed the need to formulate new long-term schemes to support those affected, especially the children who have lost their families. He expressed confidence that the state government will play a crucial role in this with all the support needed from the Centre.

Over 300 people lost their lives after massive landslides hit Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad on July 30 following incessant rainfall. (ANI)