A day after devastating landslides rocked Kerala’s Wayanad, rescue crews were seen reaching the wrecked houses and urgently hunting for missing individuals, despite the fact that the death toll had risen to 153 on Wednesday, with 98 still missing.
Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu are among the most severely hit places. The enormity of the carnage has left locals who were able to flee severely shaken.
The rescue teams from the Army, Air Force, Navy, NDRF, police, Fire Force, and villagers worked till late Tuesday night and returned early Wednesday.
Rescue personnel are still searching the wrecked homes for survival.
Anxious relatives wait in Mundakayil in front of some wrecked homes, hoping that the rescue crew may locate some survivors.
Rain continues to wreak havoc on the afflicted areas, which are covered in sludge and rocks of various sizes.
Meanwhile, the police have prohibited individuals from traveling to Wayanad without a valid reason, as most of the roads to the affected areas are becoming congested, impeding the passage of rescue vehicles.
On Wednesday, the rescue teams were reinforced with more skilled personnel to speed up the rescue efforts.
By late Tuesday night, the NDRF and defense rescue teams had been able to transfer more than 500 persons who were holed up in specific locations of the afflicted districts.
The forces have built up Bailey bridges and ropeways to speed up rescue efforts.
A team of five Kerala ministers is staying in Wayanad to coordinate rescue efforts.
Source:IANS