The Centre today said that it is providing all possible assistance to the Kerala government for relief and rescue operations following the landslide incident in Wayanad, Kerala. Making a statement in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said that 70 people have lost their lives in this tragic incident, while two people have been rescued safely from the debris. He said, 250 people have been moved out to safer places. Mr Rai said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is monitoring the situation continuously. He said, two teams of NDRF, Dog Squad and two Indian Air Force helicopters are engaged in relief and rescue operations. The Minister informed the house that three more teams of NDRF would also be reaching for the rescue operation. Mr Rai informed that the central government is monitoring the situation at the highest level. The Minister also made a similar statement in the Lok Sabha over the incident.

Earlier, the Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi requested the Union Government to extend all possible support for rescue efforts in the landslide incident in Wayanad, Kerala. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha during Zero hour, Mr Gandhi urged to restore vital transport and communication lines and set up relief camps. Mr Gandhi said, Mundakkai village has been cut off and the devastating loss of lives and extensive damage is yet to be assessed. He said, in the last few years, the country has witnessed an alarming rise in landslides and there is an urgent need for mapping of landslide-prone areas and to take up mitigation measures.