Wayanad: Union Minister Suresh Gopi announced on Sunday that the Centre will examine the legality of classifying the recent landslides in north Kerala as a national disaster. The landslides, which have caused significant destruction and claimed hundreds of lives, primarily affected the Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas of the district. Gopi, who serves as Union Minister of State for Tourism, Petroleum, and Natural Gas, stated that the central government will assess the legal aspects of the demand after evaluating the impact of the disaster.
The impact has to be studied,” Gopi said.
He spoke to reporters after arriving in Wayanad, where he visited the landslide-affected areas and interacted with rescue personnel about the ongoing search operations. Gopi mentioned that he would present his observations and understanding of the situation to the central government.
Regarding assistance from the Centre, Gopi indicated that the state must first assess the impact of the landslides and formally request aid. “The state has to inform the Centre. Only then can anything be said about assisting,” he added.
He said that he would put forth before the Central government everything he saw and understood after visiting the disaster-hit areas.
About the assistance to be provided by the Centre to Kerala, Gopi said that the state has to assess the impact of the landslides and make a request.
“The state has to inform the Centre. Only thereafter can anything be said on assisting,” he said.
