Finance
The death toll in the Wayanad landslide tragedy has reached 264, according to officials here on Thursday, with another 200 persons still missing.
More than 1,200 rescue officials began their efforts in the morning on the third day of Kerala’s worst-ever natural disaster.
A massive rescue operation involving officials from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and Fire Forces, as well as locals, is currently underway in Wayanad district’s four worst-affected landslide areas — Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu — after two landslides caught thousands of people off guard in the early hours of Tuesday.
A Bailey Bridge is almost finished, which will connect the marooned communities between Churalmala and Mundakayil and is likely to speed up rescue efforts.
Heavy rain on Wednesday evening hampered the erection of the bridge but the sky remained clear on Thursday, which favoured the rescuers.
More than 8,000 individuals have been safely evacuated and housed in around 82 rescue camps.
According to residents, the death toll is expected to grow further if more victims trapped beneath debris are uncovered.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will be visiting the affected districts. He will also lead an all-party conference to discuss the mammoth restoration task that will begin now that two villages, Churalmala and Mundakayil, have been wiped away.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have also arrived.
Source:IANS
