Over 200 bodies have been recovered while 250 persons have sustained injuries after a series of landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district.
Military personnel on Wednesday intensified search and rescue operations in Kerala’s Wayanad district, where landslides have claimed more than 100 lives, with the Army saying that it has recovered around 70 bodies and rescued nearly 1,000 people so far.
Rescuers search through mud and debris as many are feared trapped under debris. Helicopters will be used to airlift injured persons from the affected areas.
Over 50 bodies recovered from the Chaliyar river many kilometres downstream, report Malayalam news channels.
District authorities in Wayanad on Wednesday started collecting data to determine the number of people missing. Members of several families have reported that their loved ones remain untraced.
The multiple landslides occurred after torrential rains triggered torrents of mud and water that swept through tea estates and villages. The first landslide occurred in Mundakkai Town around 1 am during heavy rain on Tuesday. While the rescue operations were ongoing, a second landslide struck near Chooral Mala School at around 4 am.
By Tuesday evening, rescue teams were able to reach Mundakazham, a town in the hilly region, where hundreds were stranded due to the landslide. Rescue efforts are underway as the army has deployed 200 soldiers from the Defence Security Corps and a medical team to assist with the rescue operations.
Two helicopters from the Air Force Station in Sulur have been dispatched to aid in the efforts. In addition to these, the Canine Squad of the Indian army, with breeds like Belgian Malinois, Labradors, and German Shepherds, which are capable of smelling human remains and the faintest of breath under mud will also join the rescue operations.
In Wayanad, 45 relief camps have been established, accommodating 3,069 people.
The Kerala government has declared a state of mourning on July 30 and 31. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 as compensation for the injured. The Kerala government has opened two control rooms to attend to distress calls from citizens (9656938689 and 8086010833).
