Death toll surpasses 300 in Kerala landslide, drones search for survivors

More than 300 people had died as of August 2 as a result of the devastating landslides that destroyed Kerala's Wayanad district on July 30. Rescuers are working relentlessly against the clock to find survivors trapped beneath fallen buildings and debris. “The death toll has reached over 300,” said Kerala Health Minister Veena George, according to ANI.

The landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall in Wayanad’s mountainous terrain, have so far claimed the lives of over 300 individuals.

Rescue operations are now in their fourth day and are expanding to include drone-based radar technology to help in finding survivors. Despite these efforts, the situation remains challenging, with over 200 people injured.

The rescue teams are struggling with significant obstacles, such as difficult terrain due to damaged roads and bridges, as well as a shortage of equipment. This has made it particularly hard for rescue personnel to clear the debris of mud and uprooted trees that have fallen over homes and buildings.

A major rescue operation is currently underway, involving the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Coast Guard, and Indian Navy. Each team consists of three local residents and one forest department employee.

The search operations are organized into six designated zones. These zones include Attamala and Aaranmala as the first zone, Mundakkai as the second zone, Punjirimattam as the third zone, Vellarmala Village Road as the fourth zone, GVHSS Vellarmala as the fifth zone, and the downstream area of the Chaliyar river as the sixth zone.

To help in the search operations, police from eight nearby stations and local swimming experts are also involved. Additionally, a parallel search is being conducted by helicopter.

The construction of a Bailey Bridge by the Indian Army is facilitating the movement of 25 ambulances to the affected area of Mundakkai, which was previously inaccessible due to the collapse of the original bridge. A drone-based radar from Delhi is expected to arrive on August 3 to further assist in locating survivors.

The Madras Engineers Group of the Indian Army played a crucial role in the rescue operation by constructing a 190-foot-long bridge in just 16 hours. This bridge, which can support up to 24 tons, was built under the supervision of Major Seeta. It was essential for re-establishing connectivity to areas cut off by the landslides. Construction began on July 31 at 9 pm and was completed by 5:30 pm on August 1.

Despite these efforts, the situation remains dire, with many people still missing. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has emphasized that the primary focus is on rescuing those affected.

Search operations are being conducted along the Chaliyar riverbanks and other potential areas where bodies might have been carried by the floodwaters.

On August 2, four additional rescue dogs from Tamil Nadu will join the six dogs already deployed in the search operations.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who arrived in Wayanad to oversee the relief operations, will meet with local party leaders and attend briefings with district administration officials.

They had previously met landslide victims on August 1 and are scheduled to visit the heavily affected forest office in Mundakkai and Chooralmala on August 2.

US President Joe Biden has expressed condolences to the families of those who perished in the landslides and has praised the bravery and dedication of the rescuers amidst the challenging conditions.

Although over 200 people have been injured, around 1,000 have been rescued so far, and the death toll is expected to increase as rescue operations continue.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the Wayanad district till August 3. According to IMD Kerala director Neetha K. Gopal, rain is forecast, although there may be brief periods of clear weather that would bring some relief to rescue personnel working in the affected areas.

"We have issued an orange alert in 4 northern districts of Kerala, including Wayanad. In the south up to Pathanamthitta, we have issued a yellow alert also. From August 3 there will be a considerable reduction in rainfall activity. So the yellow alerts are being confirmed only for the northern districts of Kerala. And then from August 4, there will be a reduction, and we will be experiencing only light to moderate rain thereafter for another four days," she said.