Priyanka Gandhi slams Centre for ‘inaction’ on Wayanad rehabilitation

Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has slammed the Central government for its alleged inaction in rehabilitating the hundreds of survivors of the July 30, 2024 landslides at Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad, Kerala.

Raising the matter in Lok Sabha on Wednesday (July 30, 2025), Ms. Gandhi demanded that the Central government reconsider its decision to provide a meagre loan assistance for Wayanad.

“Hundreds of people lost their lives in the disaster. Seventeen families were completely wiped out. Around 1,600 buildings and hundreds of acres of agricultural land were destroyed, affecting the livelihoods of small traders and farmers,” she said.

Although the Centre refused to declare Wayanad as a national disaster, the tragedy was later classified as a high-intensity disaster. However, the benefits of this classification never reached Wayanad, she said.

‘Serious flaws’

Addressing the media later, Ms. Vadra demanded that the government waive the loans of the disaster-affected persons. She said there were serious flaws in the way the rehabilitation was being handled by the Kerala government.

She said the survivors were struggling despite the generous help given by the people.

Ms. Vadra said she could not attend the anniversary programme being held in Wayanad on Wednesday because of “very important” discussions being held in Parliament.