Rahul, Priyanka put off visit due to adverse weather

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra put off their scheduled Wednesday morning visit to landslide-hit Wayanad after authorities informed them that they would not be able to land due to incessant rain and adverse weather conditions.

The Congress leaders said they would visit the district as soon as possible.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Priyanka and I were scheduled to visit Wayanad tomorrow to meet with families affected by the landslide and take stock of the situation. However, due to incessant rains and adverse weather conditions, we have been informed by authorities that we will not be able to land.”

Assuring the people of Wayanad that they would visit the district as soon as possible, Rahul Gandhi said, “In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide all necessary assistance. Our thoughts are with the people of Wayanad at this difficult time.”

In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, “My brothers and sisters in Wayanad, even though we cannot come to Wayanad tomorrow, our hearts are with you at this tragic hour and we are praying for all of you.”

Rahul Gandhi, who represented Wayanad in the 17th Lok Sabha, said he had spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Wayanad district collector, who assured him that rescue operations were underway. The former Congress chief expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives in the massive landslides near Meppadi.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon,” he had said on X.

Rahul Gandhi won Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli and Kerala’s Wayanad seat this time but decided to represent Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha.

Priyanka Gandhi is slated to contest the bypolls in Wayanad whenever they take place.