Finance
The death toll from Tuesday’s terrible landslides in Churalpara, Kerala’s Wayanad, has risen to 44 and hundreds of people stranded, according to district authorities.
The landslides were reported to occur at 2 a.m., and the area is still closed off. Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu are among the most severely hit places.
According to authorities, numerous parts of the afflicted districts are still blocked off, and Pothukalu has reported a rapid surge in the number of deaths.
The Harrison Malayalam plant is another region that has been blocked off, and its general manager has told the media that a few of its bosses have gone missing, while numerous laborers have been relocated to safer locations.
A team from the Territorial Army and their medical team from Kozhikode have moved towards Wayanad.
Due to adverse weather, two helicopters were unable to land in the impacted landslides and are presently waiting in Kozhikode.
In the morning, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met with top officials from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) in the state capital.
According to sources, over 400 families are trapped in a few locations of Churalmala.
State Health Minister Veena George stated that all available health professionals in and around the district have been called to join the operations due to reports of multiple injuries.
“We have started to ensure that all medical supplies are being transported to the affected areas. Medical teams from Kannur and Kozhikode will be reaching out to speed up treatment of the injured people. At the moment 70 injured are being treated at a few hospitals in Wayanad,” said Minister George.
Earlier, Kerala Chief Secretary V. Venu told local media, “Around 2 a.m., landslides took place at least two to three times. At this point, few affected areas are cut off. The weather is also adverse for NDRF teams to go to some of these affected areas. Everyone is on alert. We will carry out the rescue in a coordinated manner. We are still ascertaining about how many people are trapped. All options, including airlifting people, are being looked into to ensure rescue work is carried out.”
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan requested assistance from the Indian Army’s Bengaluru-based Madras Engineering Group.
The MEG is noted for its ability to quickly set up temporary infrastructure. The state officials, with the assistance of the NDRF, have already begun construction on a temporary bridge in Churalpara.
CM Vijayan has also requested that drones be used in the most severely impacted areas, which include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu.
Locals report major destruction in these locations. Several homes were washed away, and numerous roads collapsed. Hundreds of people waited for aid after a bridge was washed away. Huge boulders slid down the hills, impeding the path of rescue workers in numerous locations. Vehicles washed away in floodwaters were found wedged in dirt and tree trunks.
CM Vijayan has also requested that the Kerala Police Dog squad reach the affected districts.
The police have set up a 24-hour control room; the phone numbers are 9497900402 and 0471 2721566.
Source: IANS
