On the morning of July 30, a devastating landslide struck Wayanad, Kerala. Four days have passed since the disaster, and yet, hope shines through as more people are found alive amidst the rubble. Today, the Indian Army rescued four individuals from the debris, including two women and two men, in the Padavetti Kunnu area of Wayanad.
The rescue operation was conducted with utmost precision to ensure the safety of those trapped. An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) was deployed to assist in the delicate rescue mission. However, one of the rescued women sustained a leg injury and has been hospitalized for treatment.
So far, 308 lives have been claimed by this tragic landslide. Rescuers have recovered 195 full bodies, while the deaths of 105 individuals have been confirmed through the discovery of body parts.
Source: aajtak
40 Teams Engaged in Rescue Operations
In total, 40 teams comprising personnel from the army, navy, and air force are engaged in these massive rescue efforts. Plans are underway to divide the affected area into six distinct zones for better search efficiency. These zones include Attamala and Aranmula, Mundakai, Punjirimattam, Vellarimala Village Road, GVHSS Vellarimala, and the river flow area.
Preparations for Drone System Deployment
The Indian Air Force is set to take off from the Hindon Air Base with a C-130 aircraft headed to Wayanad. This aircraft will carry advanced drone systems and expert teams specializing in monitoring buried individuals. These drone systems will assist in locating people trapped beneath the soil.
Expert Swimmers in the Rescue Team
Besides the three armed forces, combined teams from NDRF, DSG, and MEG are also conducting search operations. Each team includes three local individuals and one forest department employee. In addition, police officers skilled in swimming from eight nearby police stations and personnel from the forest department are participating in the search around the Chaliyar River. Helicopters are also facilitating the search operations, while naval and coast guard teams explore areas where bodies might have been carried away by water.
Assistance from Sniffer Dogs
The army has constructed a Bailey bridge, which has allowed 25 ambulances to reach Mundakai. A drone-based radar from Delhi is expected to arrive on Saturday, aiding in the search for buried bodies. Six sniffer dogs are currently assisting in this operation, with four more dogs expected to arrive from Tamil Nadu.
Timeline of Wayanad Landslide
The first landslide in Wayanad occurred at around 2 AM on July 30. Shortly after, another landslide hit at around 4:10 AM, followed by a third occurrence. These landslides have turned four villages into rubble, and the continuous rescue operations are revealing more casualties by the hour.
