"PM Modi monitoring situation...": Union Minister George Kurien on Wayanad landslide

Wayanad (Kerala) [India], July 30 (ANI): Following the landslide in Wayanad, Union Minister George Kurien said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is monitoring the situation, adding that the state government and central government are working together.
At least 24 people have been killed and 70 people are injured after massive landslides hit Wayanad.
"Since early morning itself, the PM was active, he was monitoring everything. He was taking stock of the situation and directed the Force, NDRF, to reach there for immediate rescue actions. They have already moved from Kerala and outside Kerala, all forces have been alerted," Kurien told ANI.
Kurien said that the Air Force has reached the incident spot and the Army is also about to reach.
"The Air Force might have reached there now and the Army is also reaching there. It is a hilly area and the problem is that reaching there is very difficult, a helicopter and other help are needed. The State Government also requested the centre, and the PM spoke to the Kerala CM, together we will do the rescue work," he added.
Meanwhile, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan consoled the loss of lives in the landslided, "Your heart goes out to all those families. I have been told that so far our teams have not been able to reach the landslide site due to heavy rain and that the river has changed its course."
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible help from the Centre after massive landslides hit Wayanad in the early hours of Tuesday as heavy rainfall continued in Kerala.
The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and the injured will be given Rs 50,000, a statement by the Prime Minister's Office said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the NDRF is conducting search and rescue operations on a war footing.
"Deeply concerned by the incidents of landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. The NDRF is conducting search and rescue operations on a war footing. The second team is on its way to further strengthen the response operation. My condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," Shah posted on X.
A total of 225 Army personnel have been deployed for rescue operations in Kerala's Wayanad.
Two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17, and an ALH, will also be coordinating the rescue operations, the Chief Minister's Office said. (ANI)