THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Wayanad, August 3: The landslide that occurred in Wayanad, Kerala on July 30 has disrupted normal life. So far, 308 people have lost their lives, and 273 have been injured. Additionally, around 300 people are still reported missing.
On the fifth day, Saturday, rescue teams are continuing their efforts to find the missing individuals. Over 1,300 rescuers, along with heavy machinery and advanced equipment, have been deployed in the area to extract those trapped under the debris.
Private companies with expertise in search and rescue operations, as well as volunteers, are participating in the operation led by the army, police, and emergency agencies.
Hi-tech devices and sniffer dogs are being used to search for people trapped in the debris. Additionally, a large number of doctors and ambulances have been stationed in the area.
Heavy rainfall caused landslide
The landslide in Wayanad was caused by continuous heavy rainfall. As a result, a large number of rocks and trees fell on houses in various hilly areas, including Mundakkai and Chooralmala. Many people were trapped under the debris due to the landslide.
The rescue team managed to safely extract some people from the debris, while some lost their lives after being buried.
There are still concerns that many individuals may be trapped under the rubble. The presence of rocks and trees falling in residential areas is making it difficult to locate those trapped under the debris.
Army constructed 190 foot Bailey bridge to facilitate rescue
The district administration had previously divided the landslide-affected areas into different zones on Friday. Using GPS, they mapped out potential locations where rescue operations were needed. Aerial photos were taken, and cell phone location data was collected.
On Thursday, a 190-foot-long Bailey bridge, constructed by the army, was handed over to the Wayanad district administration. The Bailey bridge facilitated the transport of heavy machinery and ambulances to the landslide-affected areas.
Rescue operations are also ongoing along a 40-kilometer stretch of the Chaliyar River, which flows through the Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts. Over a hundred bodies and body parts have been recovered from the river and its banks.
