Wayanad, Kerala, August 2: Rescue operations in the landslide-affected Chooralmala region of Wayanad have entered their fourth day, with the death toll now exceeding 300, as confirmed by Kerala Health Minister Veena George. Despite heavy rains and challenging terrain, 40 rescue teams continue their relentless search efforts.
The rescue teams are operating across six zones: Attamala and Aaranmala, Mundakkai, Punchirimattam, Vellarimala village, GVHSS Vellarimala, and the riverbank. The joint teams comprise personnel from the Army, NDRF, DSG, Coast Guard, Navy, MEG, and local volunteers. A significant focus is on the Chaliyar River, where eight police stations along its 40-km stretch are collaborating with local swimming experts to search for bodies potentially carried downstream. Additional searches are being conducted using a police helicopter.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Thursday that no more survivors are expected to be found in the villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala. The primary focus is now on recovering bodies. State Revenue Minister K Rajan stated that a drone-based radar from Delhi would arrive on Saturday to aid in locating bodies buried in the mud. Six search dogs are currently assisting, with four more arriving from Tamil Nadu.
The central government has issued a draft notification to declare over 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats, including parts of Wayanad, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). This notification follows the landslides and aims to prevent further ecological damage.
In a notable rescue, a family of four was found alive near Padavetti Kunnu after being isolated by the landslide. Defence sources confirmed their safe evacuation to a nearby relief camp.
Visuals from relief camps, such as the one at Meppadi Higher Secondary School, show organized efforts to provide food and shelter to the affected. The unidentified bodies of victims are being buried in public graveyards across various locations in Wayanad.
A 121-member mental health disaster management team has been formed to provide psychosocial support to survivors. Kerala Health Minister Veena George emphasized the importance of this support, especially for children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have visited the affected areas, promising to build over 100 houses in Wayanad. Rahul Gandhi described the situation as a “national disaster” and called for urgent comprehensive action.
Technological tools, such as GPS data from drones and cell phone coordinates, are being utilized to streamline rescue operations. The Wayanad District Collector, Meghashree D R, noted that this data helps direct the efforts of the 40 rescue teams more effectively.
As rescue operations continue amidst challenging conditions, the focus remains on recovering bodies and providing support to survivors. The tragedy in Wayanad highlights the ongoing risks faced by ecologically sensitive regions during monsoon seasons, underscoring the need for proactive measures and robust disaster management strategies.
