Wayanad landslides: death toll exceeds 200; Rahul and Priyanka en route to visit relief camps; Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan arrives in Wayanad
In the aftermath of the disaster, 191 individuals were reported missing. The difficult terrain hindered the rescue operations conducted by personnel from different forces. Over the course of two days, 1,592 people were successfully rescued from the affected areas and transported to various hospitals. At present, 99 individuals are receiving medical treatment.
Arpit Pattnaik
Rescue operations will continue on Thursday as the death toll in the landslides that devastated Chooralmala and Mundakkai areas near Meppadi in Wayanad district of Kerala crossed 200.
Personnel of the Army, Defence Security Corps (DSC), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Forest and Fire and Rescue Service picked through the debris strewn across the affected areas with the support of volunteers and rescue equipment, including earth movers.
Extremely heavy rain triggered the landslides in the hilly areas of Wayanad early on Tuesday, leaving at least 167 people dead and more than 200 injured. Another 191 people were missing. The Kerala Government has opened two control rooms to attend to distress calls from citizens (number_1 and number_2).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 as compensation for the injured. Union Minister Nityanand Rai in Rajya Sabha said ₹145 crore was disbursed for Kerala from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, along with Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are scheduled to visit Wayanad today. Mr. Gandhi will arrive at Kannur airport at 9:45 a.m. and will then proceed to visit the relief camps set up for the victims of the Chooralmala landslide in Meppadi, as well as the injured persons in various hospitals. Although the visit was initially planned for Wednesday, it was postponed at the request of the rescue personnel.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will also be visiting the landslides-affected area of Wayanad on the same day and is expected to meet with several families affected by the natural calamity.
During their visit, the two leaders are anticipated to tour the relief camps at the Government Higher Secondary School and St. Joseph UP School in Meppadi, as well as Dr. Moopen’s Medical College.
