As rescue operations resumed following devastating landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district on July 30, the rescue team has begun setting up the Bailey bridge to connect Chooralmala and Mundakkai – the two regions affected adversely in the disaster.

WATCH: Exclusive Visuals Of Bailey Bridge Construction In Wayanad’s Mundakkai

The Kerala government requested a 690-foot Bailey bridge, and at present, up to 330 feet of the bridge are being moved from the Madras Engineer Group & Centre (MEG), Bangalore, by road, and the 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, prefabricated truss bridge.

Interestingly, portable bridges, or Bailey bridges, such as this was first used during the second world war.

State Minister K. Rajan emphasised that the bridge is critical for excavators to be deployed for rescue work. He added that the Army may take four-five hours to finish the bridge. The Army is preparing another 170-feet portable bridge, supplies for which were airlifted from Bengaluru.  One of these bridges will be used to connect Chooralmala and Mundakkai.