Kerala: One NDRF team reaches the landslide site, three more to arrive

Wayanad (Kerala) [India] July 30 (ANI): At least 44 people have died and 250 people have been rescued and shifted to temporary relief camps on Tuesday following a series of massive landslides that struck the hilly areas of Meppadi, Wayanad district, in the early hours of July 30.
Meanwhile, NDRF DG Piyush Anand informed that one team of the National Disaster Response Force arrived at the Wayanad landslide site on Tuesday following a series of massive landslides that struck the hilly areas of Meppadi, Wayanad district, in the early hours of July 30. Three more teams are on the way.
Kerala Minister MB Rajesh said that rescue operations have been undertaken on a war footing.
"So far 44 people have died. We fear the gravity of this tragedy is much more. Rescue operations are being carried out by various agencies on a war footing. We have sought help from the Army which will reach the affected area soon. The CM is closely monitoring the operation. He has sent a team of ministers to Wayanad. An IAS officer will be camping in Wayand to coordinate the rescue ops. 250 people were rescued and shifted to temporary shelter camps. We are airlifting stranded persons. All efforts are being taken by the govt for rescue ops," the Minister stated.
Health Minister Veena George said that teams of the NDRF and Civil Defence are present in Wayanad and a team of the Navy is also en route to the affected site.
"We are trying every possible thing to rescue our people. We have received 24 bodies in different hospitals. Around 70 people are also injured. We have ensured proper treatment of the injured. Teams of NDRF and Civil Defence are present there; a team of Navy will also be reaching there soon. A bridge in the area has also washed away," she said.
A Naval team from Azhimala will assist with rescue operations in Wayanad. The Navy's River Crossing team is being deployed.
The landslide has affected Meppadi, Mundakkal town and Chooralmala areas.
The Ministry of Defence said that" Based on a requisition received from Kerala Government this morning for rescue of approximately 250 persons likely to be stranded in a major landslide in Meppadi Panchayath, Vyithiri Taluk, Wayanad, District in Kerala, two rescue columns of Indian Army with a strength of approximately 200 soldiers from Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre, Kannur along with medical team from Military Hospital Kannur and troops from Territorial Army from Kozhikode has been deployed. Two helicopters from Air Force Station Sulur have been despatched for rescue operations. Weather over the affected area is adverse."
The Kerala Chief Minister's office said that a control room has been established to provide immediate relief and rescue assistance following the landslide at Chooralmala in Wayanad.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has given directions to coordinate the rescue operations in Wayanad promptly following the devastating landslide. he announced that the entire government machinery is actively involved in the efforts, with ministers overseeing and coordinating the operations. (ANI)