Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and prominent Congress leader, has announced his donation of a month’s salary to support relief and rehabilitation efforts in flood-hit Wayanad. This donation is aimed at assisting the recovery of the district, which was severely affected by torrential rains in July.
In his statement on X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi expressed his sympathy for the residents of Wayanad, who have endured immense hardships due to the disaster. “Our brothers and sisters in Wayanad have faced unimaginable losses. I have contributed my entire month’s salary to aid in the relief efforts and urge all fellow Indians to donate whatever they can,” he wrote.
The floods in Wayanad resulted from intense rainfall that led to hillside collapses, causing torrents of mud, water, and boulders to flood into communities. This natural disaster has claimed around 276 lives and left 240 people missing.
In addition to Gandhi’s contribution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi quickly responded by announcing an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also extended support by sending a rescue team and providing Rs 5 crore in aid.
Gandhi, who visited Wayanad with his sister Priyanka Gandhi to assess the situation, emphasized the need for unity and support during this crisis. “Now is not the time for politics. We must come together to assist Wayanad. The Congress party is committed to rebuilding the community, including constructing over 100 houses,” he said.
He further encouraged people to contribute through the “Stand With Wayanad – INC” app, emphasizing the significance of collective effort in the recovery process.
The disaster in Wayanad was precipitated by two weeks of continuous heavy rainfall, which was 50-70% above the normal levels. This rainfall saturated the topsoil, and a subsequent heavy downpour led to the landslide that caused the devastating floods.
