Wayanad landslides: Army intensifies rescue ops in affected areas, 1000 shifted to safe locations

Wayanad (Kerala) [India], July 31 (ANI): The Indian Army has ramped up its rescue operations in Kerala’s Wayanad following devastating landslides, successfully evacuating more than 1,000 people from affected areas to safety. As of Wednesday morning, the bodies of around 70 victims have been recovered.

As per an official statement, four columns from the DSC Centre in Kannur and the 122 TA Battalion are conducting combined rescue efforts alongside the NDRF and state rescue teams. An advance party from MEG & Centre, consisting of one officer, one JCO, and three ORs, arrived at 07:00 pm on Tuesday to conduct reconnaissance on Meppadi-Chooralmala Road and assess the need for bridge resources in affected areas.

Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the PARA Regiment Training Centre, and his team (two officers, four JCOs, 24 ORs) arrived at 11:00 pm on Tuesday. They conducted a reconnaissance of a potential bridge site and established a Control Centre for coordinating the Indian Army’s HADR efforts, supported by the Commandant of the DSC Centre.

Two Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) columns, including medical teams, were airlifted from Trivandrum to Kozhikode by AN32 and C-130 aircraft (six officers, seven JCOs, 121 ORs) and arrived at Kozhikode airport at 11:00 pm on Tuesday, staying overnight. Movement of fuel and other supplies is planned by road, with columns set to move to their designated locations for rescue operations.

The Engineering Task Force (ETF) from the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre (one officer, two JCOs, 120 ORs) arrived at 03:00 am on Wednesday with a JCB, TATRA, and a 110-foot T/S Bailey Bridge. These resources will be deployed based on inputs from the advance party’s reconnaissance.

Two additional Bailey Bridges from MEG & Centre began movement by road, and a C-17 aircraft carrying one set of Bailey Bridge from Engineers Stores Depot, Delhi Cantt, and three Search and Rescue Dog Teams departed from Delhi Airport on Wednesday morning, the army said.

Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is also actively engaged in rescue and relief operations. The ICG Disaster Relief Teams from Kochi and Beypore are on the ground, providing aid and support.

“@IndiaCoastGuardis actively engaged in the rescue and relief operations for those affected by the landslide in #Wayanad. ICG Disaster Relief Team #DRT ex #Kochi & #Beypore are on the ground, providing aid and support. #ICG is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all,” ICG said in a post on X.

Planned actions for the day include executing rescue operations with all six columns in conjunction with NDRF and civil administration, commencing bridge construction on Meppadi-Chooralmala Road, and using airlifted earth-moving equipment.

“An aerial reconnaissance by Brigadier Seagan and the ETF Commander is scheduled for Wednesday morning to assess additional resource needs based on aerial observations and civil administration requirements,” the army said in its statement.

The Indian Army remains committed to providing all necessary support to the people of Kerala during this challenging time, it added.

The massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region as houses and roads were damaged, trees uprooted, and water bodies swelled, hindering rescue operations. Kerala is observing two days of mourning till Wednesday.

The national flag was flown at half mast at the state assembly.

On Tuesday, Union Minister George Kurian reached Wayanad to take stock of ongoing relief operations, where he interacted with senior officials of the NDRF, CRPF, and Army officials. He also visited a relief camp at Kalpetta.

The Prime Minister’s Office has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.