Wayanad

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday confirmed 308 deaths in the multiple landslides that hit Wayanad on July 30.

The rescue and relief operations are underway in Chooralmala and Mundakkai in the Meppadi region where the landslides wreaked havoc.

Minister George said that 195 bodies and 113 body parts have been recovered so far.

The Indian Army earlier today handed over the 190-feet Bailey Bridge to the civil administration which was built over the Iruvanjippuzha river connecting the regions Chooralmala and Mundakkai, isolated by the landslides.

Our Indian Army constructed a huge Bailey Bridge in Wayanad in record time.

Salute to our bravehearts 🫡 pic.twitter.com/KJBnparVW8

— Sunanda Roy 👑 (@SaffronSunanda) August 2, 2024

A Defence statement said that high earth movement equipment was shifted to the other side and vehicle movement was being regulated by the civil administration.

The personnel also held a meeting at Wayanad District Collector's office. The officials said that search operations by relief teams along with dog squads started at 7 am today. This includes 10 teams comprising 30 members each formed from Armed Forces personnel including Police.

The affected area has been divided into six zones based on accessibility and prospects of recovery of missing persons, namely Zone 1 -Punchirimattom region, Zone 2 - Mundekkai region, Zone 3 - School area, Zone 4 - Chooralmala town area, Zone 5 - Village area and Zone 6 - Downstream.

The rescue and relief operations coordinated by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and civil administration are underway at multiple locations, ensuring quick evacuation of stranded people, and provision of basic amenities and medical assistance.

#Update:Day4#WayanadLandslides #OpMadad
-Bailey Bridge connecting #Chooralmala with #Mundakkai handed over to Civil Adm.
-High earth movement eqpt shifted to other side.Vehicle movement being regulated by Civil adm.
-Meeting held at DC Wayanad office.(1/2)@giridhararamane pic.twitter.com/5eCXXt0zhE

— PRO Defence Kochi (@DefencePROkochi) August 2, 2024

Former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi visited the affected sites on Thursday. They also met the people in shelter camps in Wayanad. The Congress leaders continue to stay in Wayanad on Friday.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting in Wayanad to take stock of the situation. He said that rescue will be the main priority and that rehabilitation will be done at the earliest.

Visited the landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad to assess the ongoing rescue operations. The weight of the tragedy is still deeply felt, but the relentless efforts of those working to restore normalcy offer a glimmer of hope. Together, we’ll overcome this challenge as well. pic.twitter.com/88gOYAlHX9

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) August 1, 2024

The Chief Minister's appeal for contributions to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) has garnered significant support. Through campaign drives, donations are pouring in from different quarters to aid the affected areas.

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The campaign focuses on mobilizing contributions from residents and businesses. Organizers hope to gather a significant amount through these efforts. Despite the negative propaganda against the relief fund, this initiative aims to reinforce the public's trust and ensure the fund's effectiveness.