NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the landslide-affected regions of Wayanad, Kerala, on August 10, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Thursday. During a press conference, the Kerala CM revealed that the state urged the central government to declare the disaster a national emergency and a severe calamity.
Last month, heavy rains and floods triggered massive landslides in Wayanad’s Chooralmala and Mundakkai areas, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life.
With a ten-day rescue operation underway since July 30, the Indian Army is ready to transfer control to the NDRF, SDRF, Fire Force, and Kerala Police as they prepare to leave Wayanad.
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The Wayanad district administration organised a heartwarming send-off for a group of Indian Army personnel and a dog squad that were involved in the rescue operations in the landslide-hit district.
In a video posted by the Kochi Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO), a group of 500 soldiers received massive applause from locals as they left their accommodation after completing a 10-day-long rescue mission. The soldiers of the 122 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army were also felicitated by the teachers and staff of Mount Tabor School where the rescue teams were accommodated.
#WayanadLandslide
Watch | Emotional send-off to #IndianArmy personnel from people of all walks of life at #Wayanad.
Grateful for our brave heroes who risked everything during the landslide #RescueOps.
Your courage & sacrifice won’t be forgotten…#WeCare🇮🇳@giridhararamane pic.twitter.com/u2csEIo5r7— PRO Defence Kochi (@DefencePROkochi) August 8, 2024
Chief Minister Vijayan reported that 420 bodies have undergone postmortem so far, with search and rescue operations underway in the affected areas.
“Officially, 225 deaths have been confirmed, and body parts belonging to 195 individuals have been discovered at various sites. DNA testing has been initiated on these remains. The search continues, and of the 420 bodies examined, 178 have been returned to their families, while 233 have been buried,” Vijayan stated.
The CM, announcing the Prime Minister’s visit, expressed the state’s hope for central aid in rehabilitation efforts. “The central government has formed a nine-member committee to assess the situation and provide a report. The committee chairman visited today, and we anticipate receiving central support for the rehabilitation process,” said Vijayan.
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Vijayan also praised the assistance they received from various quarters, including donations, clothing, and other necessities. “We are seeing generous contributions to the CMDRF from the South Indian film industry. It’s encouraging to witness the entire state of Kerala coming together to support Wayanad,” he remarked.
Earlier, a special team of army personnel, SOG officials, and forest officers had been leading search operations in Sunrise Valley, Soojippara, deep within the forest.