Wayanad Landslides: 10 Pointers (image: x.com/IaSouthern)
Relief and rescue operations in the landslide struck Wayanad resumed early in the morning. The death toll in the tragedy rose to 188, with many injured and still trapped. Over 90 people were admitted to hospitals and 1,592 people were rescued, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
In Wayanad, 45 relief camps have been set up, accommodating over 3,000 people.
Authorities Started Collecting Data
District authorities in Wayanad began gathering data on the number of people missing following the tragedy. A district administration official told reporters early Wednesday that a special team at the District Emergency Operation Centre is composing data on the number of people staying in the area, those found after the landslide, and the number of persons missing, PTI reports. Data on individuals is being collected by assessing ration card details and other government documents.
Also Read | Wayanad Landslides: Rescue Operations Continue On Day 2
Rescue Operations Underway
NDRF and Army personnel and volunteers have spread out to isolated areas. In an official statement, Army list out action plans for the day: “All six columns will execute rescue operations in conjunction with the NDRF and civil administration. Construction of a bridge on the Meepadi – Chooralmala Road will commence, including the induction of certain earth-moving equipment to the other side of the stream utilizing air effort. An aerial reconnaissance by Brigadier Seagan and the ETF Commander is planned for 09:30 hours. Additional resource requirements will be assessed based on the aerial reconnaissance and the needs of the civil administration.”
Workers Stranded Rescued
In a combined rescue operation conducted by Territorial Army and DSC Centre, 19 workers stranded at Vanarani tea estate have been evacuated to safer places.
In a combined rescue operation by Territorial Army and DSC Centre, 19 workers from MP stranded at Vanarani tea estate have been evacuated to safer places.#WeCare #WayanadLandslides #RescueOperations pic.twitter.com/SBVipy5210
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) July 31, 2024
Bailey Bridge
Kerala government requested for a 690-feet Bailey bridge and at present, up to 330 feet of the bridge is being moved from the Madras Engineer Group & Centre (MEG), Bangalore by road and remaining parts are being airlifted from Delhi Cantonment. A second MEG team will reach the disaster site by evening to construct the bridge. Bailey Bridge is a type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge.
Madhav Gadgil on Wayanad tragedy
Madhav Gadgil, who was the chairman of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), has termed Wayanad disaster a man-made tragedy and blamed Kerala government for disregarding important ecological recommendations, the Hindu reports.
PM Modi Closely Monitoring The Situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation in Wayanad, Union Minister George Kurian said. “The situation is being monitored by the Central Government at the highest level. The Honourable Prime Minister is monitoring the situation and has deputed me to visit the affected areas. Both control rooms of the Ministry of Home Affairs are monitoring the situation 24×7 and providing all possible assistance to the state,” PTI quotes as the Union Minister is saying in a press release.
Congress’ Parliamentary Party Paid Homage To Landslide Victims
The Congress’ parliamentary party observed a moment of silence to pay homage to landslide victims and the three UPSC aspirants in Delhi who succumbed to flooding.
A moment of silence at the Central Hall, Parliament House, New Delhi, to pay respects to the lives lost in the Wayanad landslide and the three UPSC aspirants in Delhi who succumbed to flooding. pic.twitter.com/G0HpRDf3tW
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 31, 2024
More Personnel and Equipment
A Cabinet meeting headed by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to escalate the ongoing relief and rescue operations by incorporating more personnel and equipment, the Hindu reports. It also plans to speed up the post-mortem examination process to release the the bodies to the victims to their families. The state Health Department has sent more forensic teams to the district.
Also Read | Wayanad Landslides: When A Water Stream Became A River
Medical Point in Chooralmala
A high-level meeting held at the Wayanad Collectorate on Wednesday morning, decided to set up a medical point, including an oxygen ambulance at the control room in Chooralmala, one of the disaster site to give emergency medical attention to those being rescued out of the debris. To coordinate matters, a senior official will be put in charge, and also adequate number of doctors and health officials will be placed at this medical point.
IACP Extends Support
Trained professionals associated to the Kerala wing of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP) offers psychological assistance to survivors. Their aim is to help survivors to overcome the agony caused by the tragedy as many had lost their family members and relatives.
Kerala Governor Visits Relief Camps
Kerala Governor visited Arif Mohammed Khan visited relief camps in the district. “Not just Kerala. I would like to make an appeal to people all over the country that it is our duty to come to the rescue and help of these unfortunate victims of the landslides,” PTI quotes as Governor is saying.
Kerala CM’s Press Conference
In the latest press conference, Chief Minister stated that over 90 people were admitted to hospitals and 1,592 people were rescued. Besides, 8,017 people, including children and pregnant women, relocated to the 82 camps functioning in Wayanad.
Pinarayi Vijayan dismisses Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on landslide warning. None of the central government agencies, namely the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Geological Survey of India (GSI) or the Central Water Commission (CWC) issued a red alert ahead of the July 30 landslides, Onmanorama reports as Chief Minister is saying.
