Wayanad Tragedy: Massive Rescue and Relief Operations Underway

West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose announced on Wednesday that Prime Minister Modi is committed to supporting the rescue and relief operations in Wayanad, which has been struck by devastating landslides. Despite adverse conditions, Indian Armed Forces have successfully evacuated over 1,000 people as rescue efforts continue.

West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose confirmed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fully committed to supporting the rescue and relief operations in the wake of the Wayanad tragedy. 'I had an opportunity to visit the relief camps and speak in detail with the victims who are staying there. This is one of the worst calamities to have recently occurred. I spoke to the CM of Kerala and brought the issues to the notice of the PM and Defence Minister. The PM is fully committed to doing whatever is required for the rescue and relief operations. We stand with the victims,' Bose told ANI.

Governor Bose, currently in Wayanad, visited the Government Higher Secondary School where postmortems of landslide victims are taking place. He also visited the Meppady Community Hall, now serving as a temporary mortuary. According to the Kerala Revenue Department, the death toll from the Wayanad landslides has risen to 158.

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations continue in the landslide-affected area of Chooralmala in Wayanad. At present, 1200 rescue workers from the Indian Army, DSC center, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy, and IAF are deployed. Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the Para Regimental Training Centre, reported that 500 to 600 personnel from the NDRF, army, state police, forest officials, and volunteers have been carrying out rescue operations.

Earlier today, the Indian Army ramped up its rescue efforts, successfully evacuating more than 1,000 people from affected areas to safety. The Army's Southern Command noted that up to 1,000 individuals have been rescued so far using man-made bridges and sheer human effort. Despite adverse weather and poor visibility, Indian Air Force helicopters conducted search and rescue operations, rescuing stranded individuals from a narrow strip of land.

At least two massive landslides struck Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday morning, causing widespread destruction. The first occurred in Mundakkai, and the second in Chooralmala. These landslides have damaged homes and roads, uprooted trees, and caused swelling water bodies, complicating rescue efforts. Relief operations are ongoing. The first landslide hit at 2 a.m. on July 30, followed by another at 4:10 a.m., causing extensive damage to homes and livelihoods. Areas like Meppadi, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala have been isolated, with roads washed away and the Vellarmala GVH School completely buried.