As rains continued to lash various parts of Wayanad, the authorities directed people living in landslide-prone areas to move to safer places.
Published Jul 31, 2024 | 7:19 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 01, 2024 | 5:23 AM
Rescye operations underway in Wayanad
Kerala is witnessing unprecedented search and rescue operations with the Army, Air Force and Navy, joining the state machinery, NDRF, and scores of volunteers. Neighbouring states, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, too, have sent teams to the landslides-hit areas in Wayanad.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday, 31 July that 167 had died and 200 people sustained injuries. Over 7,000 people have been evacuated from the landslide-hit areas so far. But reports indicate that the death toll has already crossed 240, as of 10 pm on Wednesday.
The search resumed at 7 am on Wednesday. Rain and thick fog had affected the search on Tuesday night.
The Youth Congress State President Rahul Mamkootathil has announced that the Youth Congress State Committee will take responsibility for the education of children who lost their parents in the recent Wayanad landslides.
This initiative aims to ensure that the affected children receive uninterrupted access to their studies, providing them with the necessary support and resources to continue their education despite the tragic circumstances.
Meanwhile, despite facing inclement weather, rising water levels and the challenges of working through the night, the Madras Engineers Group team is inching toward completing the Bailey Bridge at Choorlamala.
CPI (M) Central Committee to set up a special fund, the Wayanad Relief Fund, to help the affected victims.
The party noted that the devastating landslide disaster in Wayanad has claimed almost 200 lives, injured hundreds and led to a huge loss of property.
Due to the possibility of very heavy rainfall in #Kerala, the @IMDWeather has issued a Red Alert for Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod. pic.twitter.com/488JQI1qDl
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 31, 2024
"It is essential to express solidarity with the affected families in Kerala in their hour of distress and to extend our support in the relief efforts," noted it. The party said that the fund is being set up at the CPI(M) Central Committee Office, A.K.Gopalan Bhawan, 27-29 Bhai Vir Singh Marg, New Delhi – 110 001.
Appealing to everyone to donate to the fund, the note said that the bank details of this account will be publicly announced shortly.
The construction of a Bailey bridge to connect the landslide-hit areas, where several people are believed to be stranded, alongside the deployment of sniffer dogs and over 1,000 rescuers from Central and state emergency response teams conducting massive search operations, constitutes one of the largest rescue efforts in the Wayanad, devastated by a deadly calamity.
Canine Squad personnel Prabhat briefed @TheSouthfirst on how sniffer dogs are helping the rescue team to identify the locations of the missing in the landslide. pic.twitter.com/2BMSHVMfOy
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 31, 2024
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that the coordinated and extensive rescue operations by the NDRF, Army, and other agencies ensured that over 1,500 people were saved from the landslide-hit areas of Wayanad district.
Vijayan said the scenes in the Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas of the district were devastating. "These areas have been destroyed," he said.
Tiny makeshift bridges were erected over swollen rivers, and excavators were engaged non-stop in removing piles of debris and boulders as rescue missions continued in the landslide-hit hamlets of Wayanad.
As rains continued to lash various parts of Wayanad, the authorities on Wednesday, 31 July directed people living in landslide-prone areas of the hill district to move to safer places at the earliest.
People living in landslide-prone areas and in places that have experienced landslides in previous years should be cautious, district Collector D R Meghasree said. In a statement, she mentioned places like Kurumbalakotta, Lakkidi, Manikunnumala, Sugandhagiri, and so on, and urged people there to exercise extra vigil.
The Collector also informed that those who have been asked to move to the camps should shift from their residence at the earliest.
Secretaries of the local self-government bodies and village officers should take the necessary steps in this regard, the official added.
According to official numbers, as many as 167 people have died and over 200 injured in the massive landslides that hit the northern Kerala district of Wayanad a day ago, with the numbers expected to increase as rescuers unearth debris, the district administration said on Wednesday.
Speaking about the Wayanad landslides, Muhammed Kutty, a native of Mundakkai said, "My friends Sudevan, Nazar, and Alakkal Majeed lost their homes. I went to the upper areas to find my friend Badrudeen, but I haven't found him yet. My friend Hameed's jeep is there, but I haven't seen him either. I believe he is still somewhere in the upper part of the hill."
Talking about the restrictions to enter the area, he continued, "No one allowed us to come to this area, but somehow I managed to get here. Almost five houses collapsed in the Mundakkai area. I don't know the exact number of houses that collapsed near the church. I don't know what to do."
Nazar was an NRI who worked in the Gulf for several years. His friend Muhammed says that the home was Nazar's only savings but that is now lost too and that he suffers from several health issues. "We lived here like brothers. Nazar called me the day before yesterday, but I don't know where he is now. God is testing us!"
Muhammed Kutty a native of mundakkai speaking to @TheSouthfirst expressed his plight.
Translation: My friends Sudevan, Nazar, and Alakkal Majeed lost their homes. I went to the upper areas to find my friend Badrudeen, but I haven't found him yet. My friend Hameed's jeep is… pic.twitter.com/CFOcGHvmYK
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 31, 2024
The official death toll from the landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad touched 167 on Wednesday, 31 July.
96 bodies have been identified, including 77 men, 67 women, and 22 children.
Autopsy of 166 bodies has been completed so far while 61 body parts have been recovered.
Amongst this, 75 bodies have been handed over to relatives.
#WayanadLandslides: The official death toll from the landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad on Wednesday morning has risen to 167.
96 bodies have been identified, including 77 men, 67 women, and 22 children. The gender of one body has not been identified.
Autopsy… pic.twitter.com/ubgC33LCl7
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 31, 2024
About 219 people were taken to hospitals from the disaster site, of which 78 are still undergoing treatment and 142 have been moved to camps after treatment.
73 people are undergoing treatment in Wayanad hospital and five in Malappuram.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit landslides-hit Wayanad on Thursday and meet several families affected by the natural calamity, sources said.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were scheduled to visit Wayanad Wednesday morning but they put off the visit as authorities informed them that they would not be able to land due to incessant rain and adverse weather conditions.
Congress sources said the two leaders would visit relief camps at the Government Higher Secondary School and St Joseph UP School, Meppadi. They would also visit Dr Moopen’s Medical College, Meppadi.
The official death toll from the landslide has risen to 158.
Among the deceased, 18 are children.
The gender of one deceased person has not been identified.
147 bodies' autopsy completed, and 52 body parts have been recovered, of which 42 have been autopsied.
75 bodies have been handed over to relatives.
213 people were taken to hospitals from the disaster area, of which 97 are still receiving treatment.
117 have been moved to camps after treatment. 92 people are receiving treatment in Wayanad and five in Malappuram.
Actor Vikram donated ₹20 lakh to Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) to help victims of the Wayanad landslide. The actor's manager announced on X that Vikram was deeply saddened by the news and wished to help Kerala financially.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan refuted Union Home Minister Amit Shah's allegation that alerts were given to Kerala before the recent disaster and said he is not interested in engaging in blame games.
Vijayan highlighted the warnings issued by central agencies, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Geological Survey of India (GSI), and Central Water Commission (CWC), between 23 July and 28 July failed to predict the severity of the disaster.
Vijayan pointed out that:
- The IMD issued an orange alert (heavy rainfall) for Wayanad on 29 July, which was only upgraded to a red alert (extremely heavy rainfall) after the disaster occurred.
- The GSI predicted a green alert (landslide of low degree) for Wayanad on 30 and 31 July, underestimating the severity of the landslides.
- The CWC did not issue a flood alert for the Iruvazhinji River and Chaliyar River.
"These are the realities. In light of this, Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement is far removed from reality. Our priority is not to assign blame but to coordinate efforts to alleviate the suffering of those affected. The focus should be on providing relief and support," he said.
Additionally, Vijayan emphasised the need for comprehensive studies on climate change and its impact on triggering such disasters.
The Union government is extending all possible help for relief and rescue works in landslides-hit Wayanad, with Union minister George Kurien being present on ground zero, officials said.
Government sources said Kurien has visited relief camps and coordinating efforts to help the large number of families displaced due to the landslides.
The Odisha government said the body of one of the two missing persons from the state has been found in landslide-hit Wayanad in Kerala.
Two doctors from Odisha, Bishnu Prasad Chinara and Swadhin Panda, had been missing since the landslide hit the southern state on Tuesday.
Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said, "The body belongs to Chinara. After formalities, arrangements will be made to bring the body to Odisha."
Pujari said Chinara’s wife Priyadarshini Pal and nursing teacher Sikruti Mohapatra sustained injuries in the landslide and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
The construction of the temporary Bailey Bridge, which is being built to connect Chooralmala to Mundakkai, is nearing completion.
The 190-foot-long bridge is expected to be completed by tomorrow (1 August) evening.
With a capacity to carry 24 tons, the bridge will enable the transportation of heavy machinery required for rescue operations in Mundakkai, which has been cut off due to landslides.
The bridge is being built with the help of materials brought from Delhi and Bengaluru.
The first consignment of materials arrived by air on Tuesday night and the second consignment is expected to arrive by road from Bengaluru on Wednesday evening.
The Indian Army's rescue operation is being led by Major General VT Mathew, and 100 more personnel are expected to join the operation soon.
Three sniffer dogs trained to detect people trapped under debris will also arrive at the disaster site on Wednesday night.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Centre had sent multiple advance warnings, starting as early as July 23, to the Kerala government about possible floods and landslide and nine NDRF teams were rushed to the state the same day.
However, the Kerala government did not heed to the advance warnings and also did not get alerted even by the arrival of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalions, Shah said in the Rajya Sabha while intervening in the short duration calling attention motion on the Wayanad landslide tragedy.
Shah assured the House that the Narendra Modi government was standing like a "rock" with the Kerala government and people of the state in this moment of tragedy. He also promised all help from the central government.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi urged the government to extend all possible help to the people of landslides-hit Wayanad and look into the "ecological issue" there.
He also urged the Centre to come up with a high-tech solution for preventing such tragedies in the future.
Speaking during the Calling Attention Motion over the loss of lives and property due to landslides and floods in various parts of the country, Gandhi said a "huge tragedy" had taken place in Kerala's Wayanad.
Gandhi lauded the military's efforts there.
"I think it is very important that we support the people of Wayanad, that we give them as much support as possible and I request the government to help the people of Wayanad in this difficult time," the former Congress chief said.
"I think this is the second time this tragedy has taken place, it took place five years ago and it is quite clear that this area has an ecological issue, so this should be looked into. Whatever high-tech solution can be brought forward, that would be good," Gandhi said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that 144 bodies were recovered from the landslides-hit areas of Wayanad district with around 191 people still missing.
Vijayan said that over 200 people were admitted to hospitals and 5,592 people were rescued from the landslides-ravaged areas of the high-range district.
Besides that, 8,017 people, including children and pregnant women, relocated to the 82 camps functioning in that district, he said in a press conference here.
The death toll in the devastating landslides in Wayanad climbed to 177 by Wednesday noon.
Authorities said as many as 7,349 people, including 17 pregnant women, are being accommodated in 73 relief camps.
Children in camps: 1,465
Women: 3,251
Men: 2,865
Families: 2,269
An Indian Air Force aircraft from Delhi is offloading components for constructing a temporary bridge at Mundakkai.
IAF's C-130 Hercules aircraft brought the materials from Delhi to Kannur.
The bridge will play a vital role in facilitating access to the disaster site, enabling rescue teams to reach affected areas more efficiently.
Authorities said that they are committed to transport the bridge construction materials to the site.
Wayanad District Collector DR Meghashree has issued a strict warning against parking non-essential vehicles on roads leading to the affected region.
The process of shifting the bodies of those killed in the devastating landslide in Mundakayi, Wayanad, to Meppadi Community Health Center (CHC) began at 12 noon on Wednesday, 31 July.
The bodies are being shifted from Nilambur District Hospital.
Earlier, some dead bodies as well as body parts were swept away to Pothukal area, Nilambur, in Malappuram via the Chaliyar River.
The decision to bring all the bodies to Wayanad was made by authorities to facilitate easy identification by relatives.
As of 12:30 pm, 11 bodies and four body parts have arrived at Nilambur District Hospital, from where they are being transported to Meppadi CHC in 15 ambulances.
Each ambulance is accompanied by at least two volunteer workers and a police escort vehicle, including an Inspector and Sub-Inspector.
In the past two days, rescue teams have recovered 43 bodies and 29 body parts from Pothukal.
Three bodies have been identified so far, including those of two children.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has made significant progress in restoring power supply to areas affected by the landslide in Wayanad.
According to KSEB officials, power supply has been restored in places up to Chooralmala Telephone Exchange and Chooralmala Town, as well as areas up to 4 km from the landslide center.
The KSEB has suffered a loss of around ₹3 crore in the Churalmala and Mundakkai areas due to the damage caused by the landslide.
The Meppadi electrical section has been severely affected, with around 3.50 km of high-tension (11 KV) lines and 8 km of low-tension lines damaged.
Two transformers are missing, and six transformers have been damaged, disrupting the service of around 1000 consumers.
To expedite power restoration work, two teams led by sub-engineers have been deployed to the site with vehicles.
ABC cables, transformers, and necessary materials have been made available, and required laborers and staff have been deployed.
In addition, power supply from the Kalpetta 33 KV substation, which was disrupted due to flooding, has been restored.
Power supply has also been restored in Kalpetta town and major hospitals through backup power. Power supply has been ensured in Meppadi town and Meppadi Government Hospital, and WIMS Medical College.
However, due to the landslide, the bridge and roads have been washed away, and rescue operations are underway, making it difficult to start power restoration work in the affected area.
The death toll in the landslides that occurred in Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad has risen to 126, according to an official statement.
Of these, 75 have been identified. The deceased include 70 men and 56 women as of 11.58 am on Wednesday, 31 July.
Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on 123 bodies, and 63 have been handed over to relatives.
Currently, 106 people are in relief camps.
A total of 195 people have been taken to hospitals from the disaster site, with 90 still receiving treatment.
Of these, 85 are in hospitals in Wayanad and five in Malappuram.
The Southern Naval Command has dispatched a disaster relief team of 68 personnel, including a medical group and equipment, from INS Zamorin, to Wayanad.
Additional teams are put on standby. Advanced Light Helicopter detachment has been deployed from Kochi to Kozhikode to augment rescue efforts.
Karnataka's Labour Minister Santosh Lad has left for Wayanad, Kerala's hilly district devastated by a series of torrential rains-triggered landslides.
Lad left for Kerala after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked him to join hands with the Kerala government to provide all necessary assistance including rescue and relief works.
The Karnataka minister is in touch with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Siddaramaiah has instructed Lad to take urgent and rapid measures to rescue disaster-affected Kannadigas.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is chairing a review meeting at the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority office.
Senior officials from various departments, and those leading the rescue operations in Wayanad, are attending the meeting.
A ministerial-level meeting in Wayanad decided to set up a medical point as well as an oxygen ambulance. The Chooralmala control room will coordinate their functioning.
These facilities are expected to provide immediate medical assistance to those rescued.
A senior official will coordinate the operation.
In addition, doctors and other health workers will be deployed as and when needed.
"A team of doctors from four cooperative hospitals, including Kozhikode and Thalassery, is ready to come," said Cooperation Minister VN Vasavan.
Revenue Minister K Rajan said that arrangements will be made to distribute water at the point where those who are stranded are rescued and brought through the bridge.
A medical team will also be deployed.
The Kozhikode district administration has listed items required for landslide survivors in Wayanad.
The items should be new, and could be handed over to the authorities at Kozhikode Collectorate's Planning Hall till 6 pm on Wednesday.
The collection centre could be contacted at 9961762440.
"Please ensure that the necessary items for the landslide victims in Wayanad are brought to the collection centers at the Collectorate itself, and avoid taking them directly to the affected areas through the Churam Road, which may hinder rescue operations. Used clothing will not be accepted, please bring only new items," the district administration said.
The required items are:
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue department and SDRF to join the rescue operations at Wayanad.
Soldiers of the 122, Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army from West Hill Barracks, Kozhikode, rescued 19 stranded people from Vanarani estate and Eala estate in Vellarimala, south West of Meppadi, in Wayanad.
A relief materials collection center has been opened on the Thiruvananthapuram Collectorate's ground floor to help those affected by the Wayanad disaster.
Donated items can be dropped off at the collection center from 10 am to 10 pm.
Only new items will be accepted.
If necessary, the Disaster Management Authority will notify the required items.
"Currently, priority is given to rehabilitation, so donations should be made to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund. If you have any doubts, you can call the district control room number 1077," read an excerpt from a statement from the district administration.
Like Thiruvananthapuram, various other district administrations, organisations and associations, too, have started similar initiatives.
Kozhikode district administration has already sent relief materials to Wayanad.
Kerala witnessed the highest number of landslides in the seven years between 2017 and 2022, a Parliament document revealed.
The state was hit by 2,239 landslides, much more than second-placed West Bengal with 376.
The number of landslides in Kerala was much higher than those reported in the Himalayan states.
Tamil Nadu, with 196 landslides, was in third place, ahead of Karnataka, which experienced 194 landslides. Jammu and Kashmir reported the fifth-highest number of landslides (184).
Relatives wailed helplessly as their dear ones, shrouded in white clothes, were consigned to flames at the Public Crematorium at Meppadi in Wayanad.
From 7 pm on Tuesday to 3 am on Wednesday, 15 bodies were cremated here.
The cremation resumed at 7 am on Wednesday.
Many people are coming here to catch a final glimpse of their loved ones.
However, many bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. Volunteers are leading the final rites.
Relatives wailed helplessly as their dear ones, shrouded in white clothes, were consigned to flames at the Public Crematorium at Meppadi in #Wayanad.
From 7 pm on Tuesday to 3 am on Wednesday, 15 bodies were cremated here. The cremation resumed at 7 am on Wednesday.
Many people… pic.twitter.com/CD4EdVSZBA
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 31, 2024
As many as 195 landslide survivors are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Wayanad and Malappuram districts.
An official communication said that of the 195 injured, 190 are being treated in Wayanad.
In Wayanad, 133 people are admitted to WIMS, 28 to Meppadi Family Health Center, 24 to Kalpetta General Hospital, and five to Vythiri Taluk Hospital.
Currently, 99 people are in five relief camps (Wayanad-98, Malappuram-1).
The state government put the death toll at 123, with 75 bodies identified.
A total of 91 bodies were taken to the Meppadi Family Health Center and 32 to the Nilambur Government Hospital.
Post-mortem procedures have been completed for all 123 bodies.
Bodies swept down to Malappuram by the River Chaliyar were brought to Wayanad and post-mortem procedures were conducted at Meppadi.
An IAF C-130 Hercules aircraft from Delhi will land at the Kannur International Airport at 11.30 am on Wednesday, 31 July.
The heavy-lift aircraft will bring components required for a Bailey bridge, which will be ferried to Wayanad on 17 trucks. Three sniffer dogs of the Indian Army are also on board the aircraft, which took off from Delhi.
Captain Puran Singh Nathawat of the Defence Security Corps (DSC) will coordinate the operation.
Dead bodies recovered from the Chaliyar River at Pothukallu in Malappuram district will be taken to Meppadi Hospital for post-mortem.
The bodies were swept away from Wayanad by the swollen Chaliyar, and were found by residents of Pothukallu in the neighbouring Malappuram district.
Wayanad District Collector DR Megashree informed that relatives need not go to Malappuram to identify the bodies.
Doctors from Thrissur and Kozhikode districts have been deployed to speed up the process.
The massive landslide that hit Wayanad on Tuesday, 30 July, has left several people trapped under the mud, with their fate still unknown.
Emergency responders are racing against time to locate and rescue those buried beneath the debris.
The landslide, triggered by heavy rains, struck without warning, catching residents off guard.
The full extent of the damage is yet to become clear and rescue teams are working tirelessly to search for survivors.
A 60-member team from the Naval Academy at Ezhimala in Kannur arrived at Chooralmala for rescue operations.
Lieutenant Commander Ashirvad is leading the team.
The team includes 45 sailors, five officers, six fire guards, and a doctor.
Kannur Rural Police have imposed restrictions on people visiting the disaster site in Wayanad.
The police imposed the restrictions after people caused traffic congestion, resulting in affecting the rescue operations.
"Therefore, traffic control is in place at the Kottiyur check-post. Those travelling to Wayanad must mandatorily produce an ID card proving they are residents of Wayanad. Those who are not, will be stopped at the Kottiyur check-post," the police said.
Indian Army Columns along with NDRF, State rescue teams, Coast Guard, Indian Navy and IAF, have been relentlessly working to address the crisis.
Below is a statement by the Army:
- Up to 1,000 affected people rescued so far.
- Approximately 70 dead bodies recovered by Army column
- Two additional Army columns airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram by Indian Air Force aircraft AN-32 and C-130 landed at Kozhikode at 10:30 pm on Tuesday, 30 July.
- These columns commenced their onward journey to Wayanad at 6:45 am on Wednesday. An Army Officer on leave, volunteered and joined the mission.
- Engineer Task Force from the Madras Engineer Group and Centre arrived at the scene at 02:00 am.
- A class 24, 170-ft bridge is planned at Chooralmala.
- Reconnaissance at Meppadi-Chooralmala Road is underway.
- Essential bridging assets including three sets of Bailey Bridges, earthmovers and TATRA trucks, are likely to reach by 02:00 pm on Wednesday
- Furthermore, bridging assets from Delhi, along with three sniffer dogs, have been airlifted by an IAF C-130 aircraft. The aircraft is expected to reach Kannur shortly, with subsequent road movement to Wayanad being coordinated with civil administration.
- Army Control centre, co-located with State Administration Control Room established at Mepaddi by Commandant PARA Regimental Centre.
- Aerial reconnaissance of the affected locations being carried out on Wednesday morning for taking stock of the situation.
The death toll in Wayanad landslides has climbed to 156 on Wednesday morning.
Search and rescue operations resumed at 7 am, with police, fire force, SDRF, NDRF, armed forces, coast guard, and volunteers braving odds to save as much as lives as possible.
People from villages next to Mundakayi and Chooralmala are being shifted to safer places through a temporary bridge.
Over 100 guest workers from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been rescued. They used to work in tea estates at Attamala near Mundakayi and Chooralmala. Kerala treats migrant labourers as guest workers.
Over 100 guest workers from #Rajasthan & #MadhyaPradesh have been rescued.
They were tea-estate workers at Attamala near Mundakayi and Chooralmala.
Follow our live page for updateshttps://t.co/2rtADfMBfF pic.twitter.com/0RnhLwpOUF
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 31, 2024
Harrowing scenes of dead bodies in sitting and lying positions inside destroyed houses could be seen as rescue operations resumed in the landslide-devastated Mundakkai hamlet in Kerala's Wayanad district on Wednesday, 31 July, morning.
The rescuers could reach many inland areas, which were totally cut off, Wednesday morning only.
According to visuals aired on TV channels, army personnel could be seen breaking the tin roof of a house that was completely submerged in mud and using ropes to reach inside to retrieve the bodies of those trapped there.
A local man, who went inside one such house, said he saw mud-covered bodies in sitting positions on chairs and lying down on cots.
"The deceased persons might be sitting or lying down when the tragedy struck them in the wee hours of Tuesday," he said.
However, authorities have not officially responded about this so far. PTI
The Goa government has expressed willingness to help Kerala, which is reeling from the Wayanad landslide disaster.
Goan chief minister and health minister gave an assurance in this regard to Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, who is from Kerala.
Goa offered help in rescue and rehabilitation measures.
Governor Pillai is expected to reach Wayanad.
Revenue Minister K Rajan said an 85-feet temporary bridge will be constructed on the River Chaliyar at Mundakkai in Wayanad.
Helicopters will be used to fly down the components required for the Bailey bridge.
The earlier bridge connecting Chooralmala town with Mundakkai and Attamala was swept away, leaving the area marooned. It took 13 hours for rescuers to reach Mundakkai on Tuesday, 30 July.
Though a temporary bridge was built, it covered only half the distance. A stronger bridge would facilitate rescue operations.
More than 50 homes were wiped out in the Mundakkai area in the savage landslide triggered by torrential rains.
Several people are feared trapped under mud and debris in the area.
Samastha Kerala Sunni Yuvajana Sangom (SYS) is collecting resources to aid families affected by the landslides in Wayanad. Six collection centers are open in the Kozhikode district.
Sahayi Office, Medical College
9946786000 (Shamsudheen)
Masjid Bilal, Koduvalli
9633106965 (Shameer)
Sunni Center, Thamarassery
9745515562 (Shameer Sakafi)
Markaz Knowledge City
6235998812 (Noufal)
Masjid Thaqwa, Mavoor
9633314530 (Lukhman Sakafi)
Santhwana Center, Kuttiyadi
7907211090 (Abdul Latheef)
Kerala Health Minister Veena George suffered injuries after the car she was travelling in, went out of control and crashed into a pole at Manjeri in the Malappuram district around 7.30 am on Wednesday, 31 July.
She is currently receiving treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in Manjeri.
"The injuries are not serious, and she received first-aid from the Manjeri Medical College," her assistant told South First.
George was travelling to landslides-hit Wayanad when the accident occurred. She will continue travelling to Wayanad soon.
Manjeri is around 80 km from Kalpetta, the Wayanad district headquarters.
In Wayanad, 45 relief camps have been established, accommodating 3,069 people.
Various rescue agencies resumed their operations early in the morning to trace people suspected to be trapped in the tragedy.
Fears of mounting fatalities have been sparked by suspicions that several people may still be trapped under the debris.
Massive landslides triggered by torrential rains struck the picturesque hamlets of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha in the early hours of Tuesday, 30 July, killing several people, including women and children.
Wayanad is known for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and sparkling waterfalls. With a population of about 8,17,000 people (as of the 2011 census), it is home to various cultures, including the indigenous tribal communities.
District authorities in Kerala's landslide-struck Wayanad on Wednesday, 31 July, started collecting data to determine the number of people missing following the massive tragedy, as rescue operations resumed to trace persons suspected to be trapped.
A special team at the District Emergency Operation Centre is compiling data on the number of people residing in the area, those found after the landslide, and the number of persons missing, a district administration official told reporters early Wednesday.
The official said data on individuals is being collected by reviewing ration card details and other government documents.
Members of several families have reported that their loved ones remain untraced. PTI
The Women’s Development Corporation will send clothing, undergarments, sanitary napkins, and other necessary items for women and children to Wayanad, said Minister Veena George.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose reached Kerala's Kozhikode on Tuesday night to take stock of the relief work underway in Wayanad, where a series of landslides left at least 123 people dead and 128 injured, the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata said.
In a post on "X", it also said that Bose has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the rescue operations.
"Governor Bose has reached Calicut Airport on his way to the landslide hit Meppadi in the Wayanad Hills. He is in touch with the central and state agencies engaged in relief operations," it said.
The 73-year-old Bose, who is from Kerala, will be visiting hospitals and relief camps and also facilitate rescue and relief operations.
"He is in close touch with the Chief Minister of Kerala," the Raj Bhavan added.
Union Minister of State George Kurian, who reached Wayanad, took stock of relief operations and interacted with senior officials. He also visited those under treatment and a relief camp at Kalpetta.
At Kalpetta General Hospital, 20 people are receiving treatment.
At Meppadi Community Health Centre, 28 people receiving treatment.
At Meppadi WIMS Hospital, 133 people are under treatment.
At Vythiri Taluk Hospital, 5 people are receiving treatment.
Additional forensic doctors from Kozhikode Medical College have been deployed to Wayanad for the genetic examination of unidentified bodies.
Food supplies are available in the affected areas, with ration shops and supply centers fully functional.
The water authority has started delivering clean drinking water to the region, with two tankers carrying 2,000 liters each.
Mortuary facilities will be increased, and mobile mortuary units will be utilized.
Additional unit of medicines and equipment are being delivered to hospitals in the district, and more ambulance units are being moved to the disaster-affected region.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) district HQ (Kerala & Mahe) and ICG station Beypore have dispatched disaster relief teams (DRT) to the landslide-affected areas in Wayanad.
The DRT comprising highly trained ICG personnel and a dedicated medical team has been mobilised to provide immediate relief and support to the communities impacted by the disaster.
The teams are equipped with essential disaster relief materials such as rubber inflatable boats for rescue operations; diesel-driven pumps to manage water and drainage issues; life jackets for safety; raincoats and gum boots for personnel protection in adverse weather conditions and other earth-clearing implements for clearing debris & accessing affected areas.
ICG also dispatched food materials, drinking water, and other essential supplies to support the affected population.
The Wayanad district administration has requested people to contact the District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) to receive or provide information about missing persons or those in hospitals.
DEOC can be contacted over the phone, 8078409770.
A natural disaster cannot be declared as a national disaster due to a lack of provisions, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said.
The guidelines related to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) do not allow to declare a natural disaster as national disaster, the ministry said in response to MP K Sudhakaran's question.
According to central regulations, relief operations can be conducted using the SDRF, MHA told Parliament.
Death toll: 135
Hospitalised: 186
Missing: More than 100.
Health Minister Veena George said 116 post-mortem examinations have been completed.
Health Minister Veena George is to arrive at Wayanad on Wednesday morning. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, too, will reach the hilly district.
