Massive landslides struck Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad on July 30, causing extensive damage and devastation. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the landslide-affected areas on August 10. During a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, the Chief Minister mentioned that the state has urged the central government to declare this situation as a national disaster and a severe calamity.
In response to the crisis, a nine-member committee appointed by the central government is tasked with submitting a report. The committee chairman has already visited the affected areas, and the state is hopeful to receive central assistance for rehabilitation efforts. Chief Minister Vijayan emphasized the importance of the Prime Minister witnessing the situation firsthand to gain a better understanding and take necessary actions.
As part of the ongoing search operations, post-mortem procedures have been conducted on 420 bodies in Wayanad. While 225 deaths have been officially confirmed, body parts of 195 individuals have been discovered across various locations. DNA samples from these body parts have been sent for testing, and the search for missing persons continues. Additionally, clothing donations amounting to seven tons were received at a collection center in Wayanad, but most of the clothing was deemed unusable and had to be processed before distribution.
Chief Minister Vijayan expressed gratitude for the generous donations and support received for the CM’s Distress Relief Fund, especially from the South Indian film industry. He highlighted the unity and solidarity shown by the people of Kerala in coming together to help uplift the affected areas in Wayanad. Previously, a specialized team comprising army personnel, SOG officials, and forest officials conducted search operations at Sunrise Valley in Soojippara within the forest.
The Indian Army is concluding a ten-day-long rescue operation in Wayanad and will hand over the search efforts to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire Force, and Kerala police. This transition aims to ensure the continuity of search and rescue operations to locate any remaining missing persons and provide assistance to those affected by the landslides.