Kerala CM Convenes Crisis Meeting Amid Deadly Wayanad Landslides

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired an all-party meeting in Wayanad to address the crisis following landslides that claimed over 100 lives. With rescue operations ongoing, multiple agencies are on the ground working tirelessly to assist the affected. PMO announced compensation for victims' families and the injured.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired an all-party meeting in Wayanad on Thursday to tackle the aftermath of landslides that resulted in over 100 fatalities. The meeting, held at the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Hall in the Civil Station, discussed essential measures and sought collaborative efforts to mitigate the crisis.

The disaster, which struck Mundakkai and Churalmala in the early hours of July 30, led to extensive damage, with the Kerala Revenue Department confirming 167 deaths. Leaders like VD Satheesan and PK Kunjalikutty, along with several Kerala Ministers, were present to strategize a collective response. Officials including Chief Secretary V Venu and DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb also attended.

To support the Wayanad district administration, assistant collectors from Idukki, Palakkad, and Kozhikode have been deployed. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are at full tilt, coordinating relief efforts despite persistent heavy rainfall.

KSDMA Member Secretary Sekhar L Kuriakose briefed teams while NDRF Deputy Commandant S Shankar Pandian supervised on-ground operations. The Indian Coast Guard, along with the Army and Navy, is conducting urgent searches for missing persons and delivering essential aid at Vellari Village.

The Indian Army escalated rescue missions, evacuating several stranded residents. The Madras Sappers regiment constructed a 100-foot bridge overnight to aid in transportation and rescue activities. Major General VT Mathew indicated that this would enable the Army to bring heavy equipment to the rescue sites.

The Army discovered over 100 bodies on Thursday, with more than 500 personnel involved in ongoing rescue operations. Health Minister Veena George announced genetic sampling of recovered body parts to ensure proper identification. As per the PRD Control Room, 96 victims have been identified; post-mortems on 166 bodies have been completed, and 75 bodies were handed over to families.

The Prime Minister's Office has pledged Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, providing some relief amidst the ongoing crisis. (ANI)