WAYANAD: The toll rose to 23 in the landslides that hit Kerala’s hilly Wayanad district on Tuesday, according to state Health Minister Veena George.
George, speaking to reporters, said 23 bodies have been recovered so far and were kept in various hospital morgues.
Of those killed, four people, including a child, died in Chooralmala town of the district, while a one-year-old child of a family from Nepal died in Thondernad village, according to the Wayanad district authorities.
Besides that, three bodies, including that of a five-year-old, were recovered from the banks of a river near Pothukal village, authorities said.
Additionally, hundreds are feared to be trapped, but the authorities have not confirmed the same.
State Revenue Minister K Rajan said that over 70 persons who were injured in the landslides have been admitted to various hospitals.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the incident and said that he spoke to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible help from the Centre to the state.
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also spoke to Vijayan and expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. He called for urgent rescue and relief operations.
Multiple NDRF teams, two helicopters and other rescue efforts are on their way to Mundakkai, which has been totally cut off by devastating landslides, the state government said.
State Revenue Minister K Rajan said one team of NDRF is working to clear the debris and create access as they progress towards Mundakkai.
Three more NDRF teams from Kollam, Arakkonam, and Bengaluru are also on their way, Rajan said.
“Mundakkai is in the foothills of a nearby mountain. The issue is that the area was totally cut off due to the destruction of a bridge. Now efforts are on to make a temporary bridge to facilitate the crossing of the rescue team,” Rajan said.
He also said the extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
The state government has also sought the assistance of the Indian Army for rescue operations.
A Defence PRO said that a team of 43 personnel, led by the Second-in-Command from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS, has been mobilised to aid in the ongoing rescue efforts.
The team, comprising a Medical Officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and 40 soldiers, is equipped to provide critical assistance in the affected area.
Police and the Health department have started multiple call centres and control rooms.
The CM held a high-level evaluation meeting and visited the State Disaster Management Authority office in the state capital to assess the situation.
Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were among the areas affected and cut off by the landslides, authorities said.
According to district authorities, several families have been moved to the various camps or homes of their relatives in the wake of the landslides.