Expert Team to Assess Landslide Risks in Wayanad: Mental Health Measures Intensified

A five-member expert team, led by senior scientist John Matthai, will inspect landslide-hit areas in Wayanad's Meppadi panchayat. They will assess risks, recommend land uses, and submit a report. Meanwhile, mental health activities for affected residents are being scaled up, including counselling and infection control measures.

A five-member expert team, headed by senior scientist John Matthai from the National Centre for Geosciences, has been appointed by the State Disaster Management Authority to inspect landslide-hit areas in Wayanad's Meppadi panchayat on Tuesday. The team will evaluate risks in the disaster-affected zones and neighboring regions.

The team will examine the circumstances leading to the landslide and report the findings to the government. They will also recommend suitable land uses for the area. Operating under the Disaster Management Authority Act 24(h) of 2005, the team includes prominent experts like CWRM Principal Scientist Dr. TK Drishy, Suratkal NIT Associate Professor Dr. Srivalsa Kolathayar, District Soil Conservation Officer Tara Manoharan, and Hazard and Risk Analyst P. Pradeep.

In an effort to support affected residents, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has directed the appointment of additional psychiatry expert doctors from medical colleges. Mental health activities, including individual and group counselling, are being conducted rigorously. As of now, 100-member mental health teams have visited 13 camps, providing group counselling to 222 individuals, psychosocial intervention to 386, and pharmacotherapy to 18 people. Health teams have visited numerous homes to ensure healthcare and prevent communicable diseases.

Officials from the Health, Women and Child Development Department are also visiting the camps for activity evaluations. AYUSH services are provided and 91 DNA samples have been sent for testing. Infection control protocols are primarily followed.