Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 30 (ANI): Kerala Minister MB Rajesh confirmed the deaths of 44 people in the landslides that hit Wayanad’s Meppadi area in the early hours of Tuesday.
Minister Rajesh said that 250 people have been rescued so far and were shifted to temporary shelters. He added that rescue operations are undertaken on a war footing.
“So far 44 people have died. We fear the gravity of this tragedy is much more. Rescue operations are being carried out by various agencies on a war footing. We have sought help from the Army which will reach the affected area soon,” MB Rajesh said while speaking to ANI.
He said that the Chief Minister is closely monitoring the operation and has sent a team of ministers to Wayanad.
“An IAS officer will be camping in Wayand to coordinate the rescue ops. 250 people were rescued and shifted to temporary shelter camps. We are airlifting stranded persons. All efforts are being taken by the govt for rescue ops,” he added.
Health Minister Veena George said earlier that teams of the NDRF and Civil Defence are present in Wayanad and a team of the Navy is also en route to the affected site.
“We are trying every possible thing to rescue our people. We have received 24 bodies in different hospitals. Around 70 people are also injured. We have ensured proper treatment of the injured. Teams of NDRF and Civil Defence are present there; a team of Navy will also be reaching there soon. A bridge in the area has also washed away,” she said.
The landslide has affected Meppadi, Mundakkal Town and Chooralmala areas and the state health minister said that the government has rushed rescue personnel, medical equipment and health workers to Vythiri, Mananthawadi, Kalpetta and Meppadi government hospitals.
Kerala Chief Minister’s office said that a control room has been established to provide immediate relief and rescue assistance following the landslide at Chooralmala in Wayanad.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has given directions to coordinate the rescue operations in Wayanad promptly following the devastating landslide. He announced that the entire government machinery is actively involved in the efforts, with ministers overseeing and coordinating the operations.
A delegation of five ministers- Revenue Minister K Rajan, Public Works Minister Muhammad Riyaz, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Minister O R Kelu, Forest Minister K Saseendran and Ports Minister Kadannapally Ramachandran are being sent to the disaster-hit area, according to the Kerala CMO. (ANI)ANI |
Wayanad landslides: CM Vijayan directs all Kerala govt events to be postponed
Wayanad (Kerala) [India], July 30 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered postponement of all state government public events scheduled for Tuesday following landslides that hit Wayanad and claimed the lives of at least 24 people.
As per the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, landslides occurred in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk of Wayanad district, at around 3.49 am on July 30.
According to officials, around 70 people have sustained injuries in the massive landslides.
Health Minister Veena George said that the state government is doing everything possible to rescue people.
“We have received 24 bodies in different hospitals. Around 70 people are also injured. We have ensured proper treatment of the injured. Teams of NDRF and Civil Defence are present there; a team of Navy will also be reaching there soon. A bridge in the area has also washed away,” George said.
Officials said that an Army Engineering Group will be urgently deployed to Wayanad for rescue operations and related activities in the landslide-affected area.
The Madras Engineering Group (MEG) from Bangalore will arrive to implement alternative arrangements after the bridge collapse. The decision follows discussions between the Revenue Secretary and Major General VT Mathews, as directed by the Chief Minister, they added.
The Chief Minister has also directed that police drones and the dog Squad be deployed for search and rescue efforts.
A special control room has been setup by the district administration at the police headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. The public can provide information to the 24-hour control room. The control room functions under the direct control of the state police chief. Phone numbers – 9497900402, 0471 2721566.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured in the landslides.
PM Modi also spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also expressed anguish over the situation and spoke to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad District Collector. (ANI)
