Wayanad (Kerala) [India], August 6 (ANI): Kerala ADGP (law and order) MR Ajith Kumar said on Tuesday that the rescue and search operations in connection with the landslides that claimed over 300 lives in Wayanad have entered the last stage.
Ajith Kumar said that most of the accessible land area has been covered and the next focus will be to search the inaccessible areas.
Wayanad’s Chooralmala and Mundakkai were hit by massive landslides on July 30 claiming over 300 lives and creating widespread property damage. The search operations have entered the eighth day today.
“Rescue and search operation is getting into the last phase now. Land area is almost covered except for the slushy area where there are around 50-100 metres of mud. The mission is to reach inaccessible areas, with forest officials acting as guides since they know the area well.

He said that the focus for today will be on riverside and valley areas.

The ADGP further said that the weather in the area is not favourable and during the previous search operations, local volunteers got stranded in inaccessible areas so these commandoes will be airdropped on specific locations.
“The team consists of trained commandos, specifically SOG commandos. We are planning to airdrop the team within 6 km of Soochipara Waterfalls. After searching the area, if any bodies are found, we plan to airlift them,” Ajith Kumar said while speaking to ANI on Tuesday.
As per the officials, a scanning mission focusing on the Chaliyar River will be conducted today by a special team on a helicopter.
As per the State Health Ministry, the death toll stands at 308 as of August 2. 226 bodies and 181 body parts have been recovered so far and 180 people are still missing.
The Environment Ministry sources earlier said that the Kerala government allegedly approved numerous projects in Wayanad over the past four years, including those related to non-coal mining, without conducting a thorough study of the district’s topography and geomorphology.
“A combination of factors, including a lack of adequate study of the topography and geomorphology and insufficient safeguards against human activities such as large-scale urbanisation and tourism, have made the region more prone to disasters, appearing to be exacerbated by human impact,” the sources told ANI.
Scientists from the state and beyond attributed the disaster to a deadly mix of forest cover loss, mining in the fragile terrain and climate change. (ANI)

Reliance foundation announces on-ground relief for landslide-hit communities of Wayanad

Wayanad (Kerala) [India], August 6 (ANI): The Reliance Foundation has come forward and announced immediate on-ground relief and long-term development initiatives to support the landslide-hit communities of Wayanad on Tuesday.
In coordination with the government authorities and the disaster management teams in the district, teams from the foundation are on the field to provide all possible support, the Reliance Foundation said.
The teams have been delivering immediate relief to people located in camps, including milk and fruits for essential nutrition. Over the next few weeks and months, Reliance Foundation has committed to holistic immediate, mid-term and long-term support for the severely affected district, along with sustainable initiatives to address prevention, strengthen early warning and early action.

Expressing grief at the unprecedented events in Kerala, Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, of Reliance Foundation, said, “We are deeply pained by the suffering of the people of Wayanad and the immense damage caused by the landslides. At this time of extreme sorrow, our hearts go out to every single person and family who has been affected. Our Reliance Foundation teams on the ground are supporting the immediate response, recovery and long-term requirements for the people of the district. We stand by the people of Kerala in this difficult time.”
The foundation’s multi-prolonged commitment to Wayanad includes food and nutrition, toiletries, hygiene requirements and temporary shelters for the affected populations, along with bedding and solar lanterns and torches.
Education support, reliable connectivity and psycho-social support, including counselling for trauma-affected individuals with experts, will also be provided to the people.
The Reliance Foundation team has already swiftly deployed personnel on the field for relief and is in discussions with state authorities. Each of the planned measures is being progressively rolled out synchronizing with the state and the other disaster response agencies to ensure that the response is effective, reaching the people promptly, in their darkest hour of pain. (ANI)