Published 18:00 IST, August 7th 2020
Kerala landslide: PM Modi, Amit Shah express grief over deaths, PMO announces ex-gratia
PM Modi expressed his grief over the death of at least 15 people due to a rainfall-triggered landslide in Kerala's Idukki district early on Friday.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief over the death of at least 15 people due to a rainfall-triggered landslide in Kerala's Idukki district early on Friday.
On Twitter, PM Modi condoled the deaths and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured. He said that the National Disaster Relief Force and the administration are working on the ground and providing assistance to the affected.
Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2020
The Prime Minister's Office in a tweet announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
Ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. Rs. 50,000 each would be given to those injured due to the landslide.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 7, 2020
Tragedy at tea workers’ settlement
At least 15 people have been killed and over 50 others are feared trapped in a mound of slush and rock debris after a massive landslide razed a tea plantation workers’ settlement in Rajakkad in Idukki in the early hours of Friday.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the NDRF has been deployed in Rajamala to rescue the landslide victims. Police, firemen, and forest officials were also instructed to intensify rescue operations, the CM said.
Idukki authorities said that over a dozen people were rescued and rushed to the hospital while expressing concern over heavy downpour and foggy climate in the area hampering rescue operations.
The area has been witnessing heavy rains over the last three days and power and communication networks in the area were disrupted due to the downpour. As the heavy spells continued for the third day in Kerala, the India Meteorological Department sounded a 'red alert' for the hilly districts — Wayanad and Idukki — for Thursday and Malappuram district on Friday.
Amit Shah, Governor react
Other than PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan also shared grief over the incident. Shah said that he is in touch with the NDRF and the force has sent a team for rescue operations there.
Condolences to the bereaved families of those who have lost their lives in Rajamalai, Idukki(Kerala) due to landslide.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 7, 2020
Have spoken to DG NDRF, their team has reached the spot to provide all possible assistance to the administration with the rescue work. May injured recover soon.
Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan said: "I am deeply grieved at the loss of lives due to landslide at Pettimudi in Rajamala,#Idukki ."My heartfelt condolence to kin of the deceased. Prayers for recovery of the injured &safety of those missing":PRO,KeralaRajBhavan #Idukki pic.twitter.com/d5G3NxzXNl
— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) August 7, 2020
18:00 IST, August 7th 2020