Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that 80 bodies have been retrieved following a series of massive landslides that struck the hilly areas in Meppadi in the state’s Wayanad in the early hours of July 30.
“We are trying every possible thing to rescue our people. We have received 80 bodies in different hospitals. Around 116 people are also injured. We have ensured proper treatment of the injured,” Veena George told reporters here today.
The Chief Minister’s Office said two Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters will leave for Wayanad from Sulur in Coimbatore. Two battalions of the Indian Army’s Defence Security Corps have moved to Wayanad from Kannur, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
Kerala Minister A.K. Saseendran visits the injured in the Wayanad landslide at the Meppady Hospital
(Source : AK Saseendran's Office) pic.twitter.com/bNUyaYjG0w
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2024
The Army received a requisition for providing aid to civil authority this morning, and in response, the Army has mobilised four columns, including two columns ex 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) and two ex the DSC Centre, Kannur.
The Army said in a statement that the total strength of the Army deployed so far for the rescue operation is approximately 225, including medical personnel.
A special control room has started functioning at the police headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. Public can provide information to the 24-hour control room at the phone numbers – 9497900402, 0471 2721566. The control room functions under the direct control of the state police chief.
Police personnel from four and five battalions of Kerala Armed Police and Malabar Special Police have embarked for Wayanad.
Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan said that four bodies have been recovered from the Chaliayar river.
Rescue operations are underway, and temporary bridges will be built to reach the spot. Four NDRF teams will reach Wayanad by noon.” Rajan said. The Minister said that it was difficult to ascertain the number of deceased.
PM Modi announces compensation
Hours after the landslides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for those killed and Rs 50,000 each for those injured.
In a post of X, the Prime Minister said that he was distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers are with those injured,” PM Modi said in another post.
Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured.
Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2024
PM Modi said he spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of all possible help from the Centre in light of the prevailing situation there. Rescue operations are currently underway to assist all those affected, he added.
As per the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, landslides occurred in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk, at around 3.49 am on July 30.
“All hospitals, including Vaithiri, Kalpatta, Meppadi, and Mananthavadi hospitals, are ready. In the night itself, all the health workers had arrived for service. More teams of health workers will be deployed in Wayanad,” the Health Minister said.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert in northern districts of Kerala for July 30. Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram were expected to receive heavy rain today, the weather department said.
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