Central Government Approves ₹260.56 Crore for Wayanad Recovery

The central government of India has sanctioned ₹260.56 crore for the rehabilitation of Wayanad, a region recently affected by devastating landslides. This financial assistance comes from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and was approved by a high-level committee led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The state of Kerala had initially requested a significantly larger aid package of ₹2,221 crore for comprehensive recovery efforts.

This allocation marks the first special package designated by the central government for Wayanad’s rebuilding following the disaster. Overall, the government has allocated ₹4,645.60 crore to nine states impacted by various natural calamities. Notably, this includes ₹1,270.78 crore earmarked for Assam, which also experienced landslide disasters in 2022.

In addition to the funds for Wayanad, the central government has set aside ₹2,444.42 crore for flood-control measures aimed at enhancing the resilience of urban areas across the nation. The capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, is included in the second phase of the Urban Flood Risk Management Project, which aims to mitigate the risks associated with flooding in vulnerable urban locales.

Prior to this allocation, Kerala had received ₹529.50 crore in loans for disaster management efforts, along with an additional ₹153 crore in July for similar initiatives. The Chief Minister of Kerala had previously reached out to the Prime Minister requesting a special financial package for Wayanad. Furthermore, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, along with other United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs, had met with Amit Shah to advocate for the required assistance.

The approval of this funding reflects the central government’s commitment to addressing the immediate needs of communities affected by natural disasters and supporting their recovery and rehabilitation.