In a devastating turn of events, the death toll from the massive landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district crossed the 300-mark on Friday. According to reports, 308 fatalities have been recorded, with rescuers racing against time to search for survivors still trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings and debris.
The rescue operations, which have entered their fourth day, are set to be expanded further. A drone-based radar from Delhi is expected to arrive on Saturday to aid in the search for survivors. The joint rescue team, comprising the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Coast Guard, and Indian Navy, is tirelessly working in the affected areas. Each rescue team includes three locals and one forest department employee to ensure efficient coordination and use of local knowledge.
The challenging terrain, exacerbated by destroyed roads and bridges, and a shortage of heavy equipment, have hampered rescue efforts. Over 200 people have suffered injuries, and emergency personnel are struggling to clear the mud and uprooted trees that have engulfed homes and other structures.
To streamline the search and rescue operations, the rescue teams have divided the affected areas into six zones: Attamala and Aaranmala (Zone 1), Mundakkai (Zone 2), Punjirimattam (Zone 3), Vellarmala Village Road (Zone 4), GVHSS Vellarmala (Zone 5), and downstream of the river Chaliyar (Zone 6).
Prominent Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who arrived in Wayanad to oversee the rescue operations, are actively involved in relief efforts. On Friday, they will meet with party leaders and a delegation from the Meppadi gram panchayat and attend a briefing by the district administration. The Gandhi siblings met with landslide victims on Thursday and are scheduled to visit the heavily damaged areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala today.
Adding to the urgency, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rain for Wayanad and several other districts over the coming days. A red alert for heavy rain has been issued for the districts of Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod.
The situation in Wayanad remains dire, with the community coming together to support the rescue and relief efforts. As the search for survivors continues, the resilience and spirit of the people of Kerala shine through in the face of this monumental tragedy.
