Kerala Battles Tragedy: 308 Confirmed Dead in Wayanad Landslides

Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed 308 deaths from landslides in Wayanad. Rescue and relief operations continue with support from the Indian Army and various agencies. Prominent leaders have visited the affected areas, and significant funds are being raised for relief efforts.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday confirmed that 308 people have died in the devastating landslides that struck Wayanad on July 30. Rescue and relief operations are currently underway in Chooralmala and Mundakkai within the Meppadi region, where the landslides have caused extensive damage.

Minister George reported that 195 bodies and 113 body parts have been recovered so far. The Indian Army handed over a 190-foot Bailey Bridge to the civil administration, built over the Iruvanjippuzha river to reconnect Chooralmala and Mundakkai, areas cut off by the landslides.

A Defence statement confirmed that heavy earth-moving equipment has been relocated to the affected areas, and vehicle movement is being regulated by the civil administration. At the Wayanad District Collector's office, officials held a meeting to discuss ongoing search operations, which include 10 teams of 30 members each from the Armed Forces, including Police and dog squads.

The disaster-stricken area has been divided into six zones for better coordination: Zone 1 -Punchirimattom, Zone 2 - Mundekkai, Zone 3 - School area, Zone 4 - Chooralmala town, Zone 5 - Village area, and Zone 6 - Downstream. The Army, NDRF, SDRF, and civil administration are working together to ensure the quick evacuation of stranded residents and the provision of essential medical and humanitarian aid.

Former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi visited the affected sites on Thursday, meeting residents in shelter camps. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led a high-level meeting in Wayanad to assess the situation, emphasizing that rescue efforts are a top priority, with rehabilitation to follow swiftly.

The Chief Minister's call for donations to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) has received significant backing. Donation campaigns are underway to collect contributions from both individuals and businesses. This initiative aims to bolster public trust in the relief fund despite contrary propaganda and to ensure optimal support for the affected areas. (ANI)