Wayanad lanslides: 250 people evacuated, 300 personnel deployed for rescue operations, says MoS Nityanand Rai

New Delhi [India], July 30 (ANI): Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that more than 250 people have been evacuated to a safer location and 300 personnel have been deployed for rescue operations after a landslide hit the Meppadi area of Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Rajya Sabha, Rai said, "Today morning, the Wayanad district of Kerala witnessed a tragic incident of a landslide... two people have been rescued from the debries and around 250 people have been evacuted to safer locations," he said.
He further added that Prime Minister Modi has been monitoring the situation and has instructed Union Minister George Kurian to visit the incident site and assess the situation in Kerala.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is monitoring the situation and instructed Union Minister George Kurian to go and assess the situation in the affected areas. The Home Minister also spoke with the Kerala Chief Minister and said that they will get whatever resources they need from the central government," he said.
Rai further said that two teams of the NDRF, two columns of the Indian army and two IAF helicopters have been pressed into the rescue operations and 300 personnel have been deployed for the rescue operations.
"After the incident, two teams of NDRF, two columns of the Indian army and two IAF helicopters have been pressed into rescue operations. For the construction of three bailey bridges, a column of the Army's Madaras Engineering Group is getting ready, which will leave for the site by 4 PM. 300 personnel have been deployed for rescue operations. Three more teams of NDRF are reaching the spot, along with a dog squad that has also been sent to the spot for rescue operations," he said.
He also said that two helicopters had been deployed but due to bad weather, they were unable to land there.
"Two helicopters have been deployed there but due to bad weather, they are unable to make a landing there... we are still trying our best...NDRF is on ground and rescue operations are underway," he said. (ANI)