Wayanad Landslide: Navy Also To Join Rescue Operations As Death Toll Reaches 56

(MENAFN- AsiaNet News) Wayanad: A Navy team will arrive for rescue operations in landslide-hit Wayanad soon. In response to the Chief Minister's directive, the Navy's River Crossing Team has been called to assist. A team from the Ezhimala Naval Academy will shortly depart for Wayanad to provide critical support where at least 56 deaths have been confirmed so far. The casualties are likely to increase in the coming hours.

Wayanad landslide: Territorial Army, 2 IAF choppers deployed for rescue ops as death toll reaches 41

A devastating landslide hit Meppadi, Mundakkai Town, and Chooralmala early Tuesday (July 30) morning. The initial landslide occurred in Mundakkai Town around 1 am amid heavy rain. During the ongoing rescue efforts, a second landslide struck near Chooral Mala School at approximately 4 am. The school, which was serving as a camp, along with nearby houses and shops, was inundated with water and mud.

So far, 10 bodies have been identified. The identified individuals are Ramla, Ashraf, Kunjimoideen, Lenin, Vijesh, Sumesh, Salam, Shreyas, Premaleela, and Regina. The bodies are being kept at five different locations: Meppadi Health Center (32), VIMS (7), Vythiri Taluk Hospital (1), Nilambur Hospital (8), and Malappuram Chungathara Hospital (1). Most of the houses in Mundakkai have been washed away. The Attamala and Chooralmala areas are also severely damaged.

The Air Force has launched ALH and MI17 helicopters, with two Sarang helicopters spearheading the initial response. The rescue team, including seasoned Group Captain Prashant, who previously led flood relief operations, will establish a base at the SKMJ School ground in Kalpetta. The Army's primary focus will be on providing aid, including airlifts, to the severely affected areas of Mundakkai and Chooral Mala in Wayanad.

The Defence Ministry earlier issued a statement on the ongoing rescue operations in Wayanad.

"Based on a requisition received from Kerala Government this morning for rescue of approximately 250 persons likely to be stranded in a major land slide in Meppadi Panchayath, Vyithiri Taluk, Wayanad, District in Kerala, two rescue columns of Indian Army with a strength of approximately 200 soldiers from Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre, Kannur along with medical team from Military Hospital Kannur and troops from Territorial Army from Kozhikode has been deployed," the statement read.

"Early this morning, massive landslide struck hilly areas near Meppadi in Wayanad district resulting in hundreds of people suspected to be strapped. Assistance was sought from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Two Relief columns from Defence Security Corps Centre, Kannur along with rescue equipment and other detachments have been deployed for rescue and relief operations. Two helicopters from Air Force Station Sulur have been despatched for rescue operations. Weather over the affected area is adverse. However they will be taking off again towards disaster relief operations." it read.

Following the Wayanad landslide, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has ordered that nearby districts, including Malappuram and Kozhikode, be put on high alert along with Wayanad. The minister has directed hospitals to enhance their facilities and has instructed that additional health personnel be deployed in Wayanad. A team from Kozhikode Medical College has already been dispatched

Health workers on leave across the state have been directed to immediately report back to work. The Kerala Medical Services Corporation (KMSCL) has been instructed to supply more medicines and equipment. Post-mortem procedures have begun

Kerala: Massive landslide hits Wayanad amid heavy rainfall; Several feared trapped; 5 bodies recovered

MENAFN30072024007385015968ID1108496983