Wayanad landslide: Army constructs improvised bridge fast-tracking rescue operations

Wayanad landslide: Army constructs improvised bridge fast-tracking rescue operations

Wayanad: The DSC unit of the Indian army team that arrived from Kannur by 3pm at the Chooral Mala site proved to be the game-changer in fast-tracking the rescue and search operations that was facing a major challenge till then due to connectivity issue.

The massive landslides were reported at 1 am at a site 2 kilometers away from Mundakkai and the subsequent landslides reported at 4am and 4:30 am.

One of the biggest challenges facing the NDRF and the army units that had reached Chooral Mala was the absence of the bridge that was connecting Chooral Mala and Mundakkai. The bridge that was present there was completely washed away in the flash floods that led to a major tragedy by completely washing away two small villages – Chooral Mala and Mundakkai in the Meppadi region of Wayanad.

As many as 45 relief camps have opened in the district and 3069 people have been moved to the camps. 118 relief camps have been set up across the state with 5531 people, Vijayan said.

In the wake of the disaster, the state government has announced two days official mourning on July 30 and 31. There will be no official functions and celebrations on these days.

Along with government agencies, volunteers and local residents are cooperating in the rescue operation.

The operations will be coordinated, and five state ministers will reach the hilly district to lead the rescue activities. Two Air Force helicopters will depart for Wayanad from Sulur shortly to take part in the search and rescue operations. Forest Minister AK Saseendran has reached Chooralmala this morning.

IG North and DIG Kannur will reach Wayanad to coordinate the rescue operations. Law and order ADGP has been asked to lead the rescue work. Two battalions of the Kerala Armed Police and Malabar Special Police were sent to the spot for rescue work.