(Image source from: x.com/ani_digital)
Down in southern India, landslides took the lives of 70 individuals recently, as confirmed by a district official. An additional army announcement indicated that countless others remain stuck in the affected regions. Large landslides hit various hilly parts near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district early Tuesday morning. Rescuers began mobilizing Fireforce and NDRF squads to assist. Additional NDRF reinforcements are en route to Wayanad, while two teams from the Kannur Defence Security Corps are moving in as well. Unfortunately, numerous people are believed to be trapped in the impacted areas. Heavy downpours are slowing down rescue efforts, with ongoing rainfall making operations challenging. Visuals on television show water gushing through rocks and trees, impacting several homes. The India Meteorological Department has warned of intense rain throughout the state on Tuesday, further complicating rescue missions. The Kerala chief minister's office recently mentioned ongoing relief operations, accompanied by Indian Air Force helicopters mobilized for support.
#WATCH | Buildings suffer damage in the landslide and rain-affected Chooralmala area in Kerala's Wayanad pic.twitter.com/YvBDbl9nhK
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2024
The officer from the Disaster Response Force has been acknowledged. An Army unit has departed from Kannur to Wayanad to conduct search and rescue missions following a recent landslide. The Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD) has established media control centers at the district and state levels to support the relief efforts in Wayanad. For assistance, please contact 0483-2734387. Additionally, the state-level control room at the Secretariat is accessible at 0471-2327628 or 2518637, as announced by the Department of Information and Public Relations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conversed with Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi to evaluate the ongoing rescue operations in Wayanad. Various teams, including NDRF, Fire, Police, and the Revenue Department, are actively involved. A total of 101 individuals have been saved so far. A shelter camp has been established at Bathery St Mary’s SKMJ School in Kalpetta, complete with medical support, ambulances, food supply, and clothing. According to the office of Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan, there is a need for earth excavators. Furthermore, Police drones and the Dog squad will be utilized for search and rescue operations, following the directives of the Chief Minister. The Kerala Chief Minister's Office (CMO) announced that the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) from Bengaluru will come to the area to put in place new plans following the bridge collapse.
