New Delhi: Wayanad MP and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a heartfelt appeal during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, urged the Central government to waive the loans of the flood and landslide victims in her parliamentary constituency of Wayanad, Kerala. She expressed strong dismay at what she termed the “lack” of sufficient and appropriate central assistance for the affected people to rebuild their lives.
Highlighting the devastating impact of the July 30, 2024 landslides and floods in Wayanad, Ms. Gandhi stated that hundreds of people had lost their lives, 17 families were completely wiped out, and over 1,600 buildings were destroyed. Furthermore, hundreds of acres of agricultural land, including coffee, tea, and cardamom plantations, were ruined, severely affecting the livelihoods of many, including auto drivers, jeep drivers, and small business owners.
“It has been one year since the disaster, and those affected have still not been properly rehabilitated,” Ms. Gandhi lamented. She criticized the Central government for releasing funds that were “insufficient and given as loans, which is unprecedented.” She passionately questioned, “People have lost their lives and entire livelihoods, and we expect them to repay loans while rebuilding their lives?”
Priyanka Gandhi also pointed out that despite repeated requests to declare the landslides and floods a “national disaster,” this was not done initially. While it was eventually designated as a “disaster of a severe nature,” she argued that this has not been enough.
“It’s my honest and heartfelt request on behalf of the people of Wayanad that the Central government consider waiving these loans, which are a small amount for the Centre but a huge burden for the victims,” she appealed to the House.
This plea comes amidst ongoing concerns from Wayanad and other parts of Kerala regarding the recovery efforts following the devastating natural calamities. Ms. Gandhi emphasized that the victims’ families are still struggling to cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.
