In a heart-touching show of solidarity and camaraderie, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday assured the people and the Government of Kerala that the entire nation and the Union Government stand by the State in its efforts to rebuild the Wayanad areas devastated by the recent landslides and deluge.

“Money will not be a problem for the reconstruction and rehabilitation work in Wayanad. We have to stand by the youth who have lost everything and help them realise their dreams,” said Modi.

Speaking to the people of Kerala after a whirlwind tour and aerial survey of the regions devastated in the monstrous landslides and flashfloods that claimed more than 400 lives and destroyed hundreds of houses, the Prime Minister asked the State Government to prepare a detailed report about the number of houses destroyed in the nature’s fury and what the State Government was planning to do for the construction of a new and safe township in place of the area devastated in the natural calamity.

He recalled his experience as a volunteer in the rescue and rehabilitation team during the 1979 Machchu Morbi dam disaster in which more than 2,000 lives were lost.

He asked the medical doctors attending to the survivors to counsel them and those who lost their near and dear ones in the tragedy.

All that the State Government has to do is to submit a detailed report about the losses suffered by the people, the scale of fatalities and destruction in the region as also a comprehensive plan by the Kerala Government about the proposed resettlement scheme.

Earlier, the Prime Minister made on-the-spot assessment of the destruction and interacted with the soldiers of the Indian Army and the National Disaster Rescue Team who led the rescue operations in Mundakkal, Punchirimattam Churalmala regions which bore the brunt of the nature’s fury.

He also visited various hospitals in the district where the injured are undergoing treatment, interacted with them and enquired about their wellbeing.

“The Prime Minister asked me about my health and assured of all possible help from the Government. His words were soothing and reassuring,” said Arun, a youth who had a miraculous escape from certain death after he was taken out from underneath tonnes of mud, soil and rocks fallen on him during the landslide.

Modi was accompanied by Governor Mohammed Arif Khan, Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior IAS and IPS officers of the State.

It was clear from the body language of the Prime Minister that he was moved by the stories recounted by the victims who had lost their loved ones, houses and sources of life.

Since Friday evening, the Kerala media was agog with reports that the Centre was likely to offer Rs 2,000 crore comprehensive rehabilitation package that includes construction of a  safe and secure township.

A grim-faced Vijayan, who accompanied the Prime Minister throughout the aerial survey and interaction with the victims, did not speak anything other than reminding Modi that the State was waiting for the Rs 2,000 crore which the Centre must allocate. The basis of the Rs 2,000-crore package demand has been explained neither by the Chief Minister nor the Chief Secretary Venu.

Sources close to the Chief Minister said that the administration was dependent on the initial amount of Rs 2000 crore while the remaining Rs 1000 crore could be allocated at a later stage. Narayanan Namboothiri, senior BJP leader, told The Pioneer that he was yet to understand the logic behind the demand of Rs 2000 crore aid.

After touring the disaster-struck region for more than four hours, Modi participated in a review meeting at Wayanad civil station attended among others by the Governor, Union Minister Suresh Gopi and Chief Minister Vijayan.