CM gives account of rescue and relief work

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that over 1,500 people were saved from the landslide-hit areas of Wayanad district.

In the first phase, 206 people from 68 families in the nearby areas of the disaster were shifted to three camps. “This includes 75 men, 88 women, and 43 children,” the chief minister said.

Following the landslide, 1,386 people who were stranded and those who were trapped in their homes were rescued as a result of the ongoing rescue mission.

“This includes 528 men, 559 women, and 299 children who were shifted to seven camps. Two hundred and one people were rescued and taken to the hospital, of whom 90 are currently undergoing treatment,” he said.

Vijayan said that in Wayanad district, there are currently 8,017 people in 82 relief camps. This includes 19 pregnant women.

“There are eight camps in Meppadi, where 1,486 people from 421 families are currently staying,” he said.

He said operations are underway to find bodies floating down the river to the adjoining Malappuram district.

“A team of 1,167 personnel has been deployed for the rescue operation. This includes 645 firefighters led by 10 station officers, 94 NDRF personnel, 167 District Sainik Welfare Centre personnel, 153 personnel from the Madras Engineer Group, and Coast Guard personnel who arrived on Tuesday,” Vijayan said.