The landslides in hills of Wayanad in Kerala that killed many and injured scores figured in the Rajya Sabha discussions on Tuesday with the Left and the Congress demanding that the Centre extend financial and other assistance to the state.
Leader of the House and Union Health Minister JP Nadda said it is a very big tragedy and the central government, in coordination with the state government, is pro-actively working to provide relief and carry out rescue operations.
He said the first task is to remove the bodies and save those injured.
Responding to concerns raised by Opposition members, Nadda said all efforts will be put in place to deal with the natural tragedy.
“If there is any suggestion… that we have to improve something in our action, please do that. We are together,” he said.
John Brittas of Kerala CPI(M), Abdul Wahab (IUML), Jose K Mani of Kerala Congress (M), and AA Rahim of CPI(M) were among the MPs who expressed concerns and made suggestions to deal with the situation.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who rejected notices under rule 267 given by some opposition MPs, seeking suspension of the listed business to take up a discussion on the issue, said all attempts are being made by the state government and the Centre and the Prime Minister has already spoken to the chief minister and some ex-gratia has been announced.
As MPs continued to insist, Dhankhar relented and allowed MPs to briefly speak on the tragedy.
But the Opposition MPs wanted permission to raise their concerns and place demands.
“Every member is concerned. Our country is one,” Dhankhar said as the MPs persisted with their demand.
As the Congress and the Left MPs rose in their places, he asked, “What will you discuss?” “Right now all you want to do is express concern,” he told the MPs.
Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the landslide that happened around 2.30 am is “a very painful situation” and agencies are acting in tandem for relief and rescue efforts.
He wanted an MP hailing from the region to be allowed to speak on the issue.
Wayanad tragedy & rescue operation
The NDRF has deployed one team while three more are on the way to Kerala's Wayanad to undertake rescue and relief operations in the hilly district where landslides claimed at least 45 lives on Tuesday, officials said.
These floodwater and landslide rescue teams are armed with various tools, pole and wire cutting machines, inflatable boats and basic medicines, they said.
One team is already working in the area while one each is being rushed in from Kerala, Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (Operations) Mohsen Shahedi said the teams will be assisting the state government authorities and other agencies deployed for rescue work in Wayanad.
Officials said the NDRF teams comprise about 30 personnel each. The first NDRF team has recovered 21 bodies, rescued one person and evacuated 74 people from the affected area, they said.
A Defence PRO said on Tuesday that a team of 43 personnel, led by the Second-in-Command from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS, has been mobilised to aid in the ongoing rescue efforts.
The team, comprising a Medical Officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and 40 soldiers, is equipped to provide critical assistance in the affected area.
Heavy rains triggered the massive landslides in the hilly areas of Wayanad district. Hundreds are feared feared trapped under the debris.
Apart from the NDRF, teams of Kerala fire force, police, forest department, revenue, Army and local self-government departments are involved in the rescue operations.
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