George Kurian said that the central government has assured all possible assistance to the state for the rescue efforts.
Published Jul 31, 2024 | 7:11 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 31, 2024 | 7:11 PM
Union Minister meeting Wayanad landslide victims. (X)
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday, 31 July, appealed to everyone across the country to come to the aid of the victims of the massive landslides in this high-range district of the state, saying it was a “colossal tragedy”.
Khan said he was endorsing what Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said a day ago that in Kerala in 2018 and 2019, when hit by floods, people of the state stood up to the occasion and came forward to help.
“To deal with this kind of massive tragedy, we need help from every side. So, I hope people will display the same generosity, concern and sensitivity towards these victims in Wayanad.
“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,” Khan, who is in Wayanad, told reporters.
He said everyone’s heart goes out to the victims and that is the reason why he decided that if possible he would visit the affected areas and the relief camps.
The Governor also said that all state and central agencies as well as the armed forces were doing whatever was possible to search for and rescue those who were missing or stranded due to the landslides.
Meanwhile, Union Minister George Kurian, who is visiting the crisis-hit Wayanad said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the landslide situation.”
Kurian, who visited the people affected by the landslide on Tuesday night, said that the central government has assured all possible assistance to the state for the rescue efforts of those affected by the tragedy.
“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,” he said.
“I would like to assure the people of Kerala that the Modi government is committed to providing all possible assistance to the State Government for the rescue of the people affected by the landslide here,” Kurian said in a press release.
The Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy said that two teams of NDRF, two columns of the Indian Army, and two IAF helicopters have been deployed for search and rescue operations.
Three additional teams of NDRF, equipped with search and rescue equipment, are on the way. A dog squad has also been deployed for search and rescue operations, he said.
“Columns of the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) have been deployed for the construction of three Bailey bridges. Two columns of the army with stores have been airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram to Kozhikode. One 110-foot Bailey bridge and three search and rescue dogs have been airlifted from Delhi to Kozhikode. Helicopter reconnaissance of the Engineering Team to assess damage is being done to work out further resources required to be inducted,” he said.
The Indian Navy’s ship INS Zamorin has been deployed to assist in establishing the movement of rescue workers to the other side of the damaged bridge.
“Additional resources will be sent by the Centre as required,” he added.
Massive landslides triggered by torrential rains struck the picturesque hamlets of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha in the early hours of Tuesday, killing several people, including women and children.
The death toll in the devastating landslides climbed to 177 by Wednesday noon.
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.
People from villages next to Mundakayi and Chooralmala are being shifted to safer places through a temporary bridge.
(With PTI inputs)
