Wayanad : Heavy down pour with water levels increasing in the Mundakkai river has hampered the rescue operations by the army and the NDRF team members. As per sources, the water level has risen after rains resumed at the rescue operation site in Mundakkai. Meanwhile, the temporary bridge that was built across the Chooral Mala river by the army has submerged in the water today evening.
“The biggest challenge the rescue teams are facing now is the absence of a solid bridge that could carry heavy machineries to the spot so that the rescue teams could remove the debris and find those if at all trapped there. Moreover, the water levels are also increasing causing a major challenge”, said Ajay, a local resident in Chooral Mala who was part of the search operations.
Most victims washed away while in sleep
Most of the victims were washed away in sleep as the landslides occurred at 1.30am and 4:30am. Huge boulders and uprooted trees gushed downwards to Chooralmala from Punja Padam, causing severe damage. The heavy surge of water from the hilltop changed the nature of the narrow Iruvazhinji river, submerging everything on its banks. Several houses were destroyed, a temple and a mosque were submerged, and a school building severely damaged.
Heavy rain and the presence of mud, huge pieces of rocks and trees made rescue operations difficult. Scores of earthmovers were brought in to remove the mud and rocks. Bodies were taken out of the mud with great difficulty and pain as most of these were stuck under the mud and concrete structures.
Currently, 251 deaths have been reported as per sources from various government and private hospitals in Wayanad and Malappuram districts.
The bodies of 89 victims have been identified so far and the Postmortem of 143 bodies are completed. Currently 191 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals. As part of the disaster 45 relief camps have been opened where 3069 people are sheltered. More than 50 houses were destroyed in the landslide that swept away the small town of Mundakkai. 350 military personnel of the armed forces were moved today morning to commence rescue operations.
Defense minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi to take a complete stock of rescue and relief operation by the army units.
As per sources, the water level has risen after rains resumed at the rescue operation site in Mundakkai. Meanwhile, the temporary bridge that was built across the Chooral Mala river by the army has submerged in the water today evening. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
