More than 150 bodies have been recovered in Wayanad district in Kerala after incessant rainfall triggered landslides in multiple areas in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages.
According Asianet News, relatives claim that over 200 people are still unaccounted for while the government figures state 98 as missing. The news platform also informed that the process of identifying the victims is ongoing.
45 relief camps have been opened in the district and over 3,000 people have been relocated.
The Indian Army, Coast Guards, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, NDRF and SDRF, along with other agencies are continuing with operations to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies.
#NDRF and Sister Agencies are Working around the Clock in Wayanad, ensuring swift and effective rescue operations amid the landslide aftermath. #WayanadRescue #NDRF #DisasterRelief @NDRFHQ @KeralaSDMA@CollectorWyd @PIBTvpm @pibchennai pic.twitter.com/X9p5yyej2r
— 04 Bn NDRF ARAKKONAM🇮🇳 (@04NDRF) July 31, 2024
The Army’s Southern Command informed on Wednesday that as much as 1000 people have been rescued using man made bridge and human effort of the joint forced and around 70 dead bodies have been recovered by Army.
In a post on X, it also said that the Engineer Task Force from the Madras Engineer Group and Centre were at the site to erect a class 24, 170 Ft bridge at Chooralmala. Reconnaissance at Meppadi-Chooralmala Road. Essential bridging assets to include three sets of Bailey Bridges, JCBs and TATRA trucks, are en route to Wayanad and likely to reach by 02:00 PM, the Southern Command stated.
Furthermore, bridging assets from Delhi, along with three sniffer dogs, have been airlifted by the Indian Air Force Aircraft C 130 and are expected to reach Kannur shortly, with subsequent road movement to Wayanad being coordinated with civil administration. Two additional Army Columns have also been air lifted from Trivandrum by Indian Air Force AirCraft.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi has cancelled his visit to the district. Gandhi had planned on visiting his former LS constituency on Wednesday with his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who will be contesting her first election from Wayanad.
“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,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X.
He added that he would visit as soon as possible and, in the meantime, they will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide all necessary assistance.
