New Delhi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in New Delhi to request special financial assistance for the Wayanad landslide disaster. The meeting, scheduled for 10:30 am at the Prime Minister’s residence, marks the first official encounter between the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister since the Modi-led NDA assumed office for the third time.
Vijayan arrived in the national capital on Monday evening, bringing with him a pressing agenda. The Kerala government has already requested an initial aid package of Rs 900 crore to address the immediate needs arising from the landslide. The state estimates the total damage at approximately Rs 2,000 crore, with detailed documentation on the specific impact in various regions to be submitted at a later date.
Ahead of the meeting, Chief Minister Vijayan plans to brief Prime Minister Modi on the current situation in Wayanad and provide an overview of the disaster’s impact. This meeting comes at a critical time, as during his earlier visit to the affected areas, Modi had assured that the central government would offer all possible assistance in relief and rehabilitation efforts. While disaster management funds have already been released, no special financial package has yet been announced, making today’s discussion crucial for securing further aid.
In the wake of the disaster, recovery efforts have led to the grim discovery of 231 bodies and 217 body parts in the affected areas, with 176 identified bodies being handed over to the families of the deceased.
