Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that 215 bodies have been recovered so far as rescue operations enter the final phase in landslide-hit Wayanad. The Chief Minister reported that 206 people are still missing, and 83 are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts. He noted that a total of 10,042 people have been relocated to shelter camps.
CM Vijayan also emphasized the need to revise early warning systems and develop more descriptive warning systems considering changing climate patterns. He highlighted plans to build a special township as part of the rehabilitation in Chooralmala, which was completely washed away in the landslides. Additionally, he mentioned that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has pledged to construct 100 houses in Chooralmala. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has also offered to build 100 houses for those who lost their homes.
The Chief Minister announced that the QR code for donations to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund has been disabled, and contributions can now be made through UPI ID or net banking. He expressed gratitude to actors, opposition leaders, business figures, and others who have contributed to the relief fund. CM Vijayan himself contributed Rs 1 lakh to the CM’s Distress Relief Fund, and his wife, TK Kamala, contributed Rs 33,000. Many political leaders, actors, and businesses have responded to the Chief Minister’s appeal for donations, with contributions pouring in from various sources to aid the affected areas.
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As of Friday, the death toll from the massive landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad stands at 308, according to Kerala Health Minister Veena George. The latest update indicates that 215 bodies and 143 body parts have been recovered, including 98 males, 87 females, and 30 children. Post-mortem procedures have been completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts, and 148 bodies have been identified by relatives so far.
Hospital data reveals that 82 people are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals across Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts. A total of 504 people were brought to hospitals from the disaster area, with 205 having been discharged so far.
Relief teams, including a dog squad, began search operations at 7 am today. The Indian Army’s relief columns are also present at the site, and all activities are coordinated by the North Kerala IGP. In response to the Kerala government’s request, one Xaver Radar (from Northern Command) and four Reeco Radars (from Tiranga Mountain Rescue Org, Delhi), along with operators, will be airlifted from Delhi today in IAF aircraft, according to PRO Defence Kochi.
Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reported that six lives were saved from a remote tribal settlement after a tireless 8-hour operation by forest officials in landslide-hit Wayanad. He praised the heroism of the rescue teams, noting that Kerala’s resilience shines brightest in the darkest times.
(INPUTS FROM ANI)
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