Wayanad Landslides Death Toll Reaches 308, 40 Rescue Teams Continue Search Ops, Drone-Based Radar to be Used

Wayanad: The number of deaths in Tuesday’s massive landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district reached 308 on Friday. Rescuers on fourth day are trying hard to locate survivors who are still trapped in collapsed buildings and under the debris.

The rescue operations are to be aided by drone-based radar to find the survivors. A drone-based radar from Delhi will arrive on Saturday to search for survivors.

Over 200 people suffered injuries in these landslides. Rescue efforts are hampered by destroyed roads and bridges, shortage of heavy equipment, making it difficult for emergency personnel to clear mud and uprooted trees.

A joint team comprising the Indian Army, NDRF, Coast Guard and the Indian Navy with the help of three locals and one forest department employee are to intensify the search and rescue operations.

Forty teams of rescue personnel will divide the search areas into six zones to carry out the rescue operations. Police personnel from eight police stations surrounding the river and locals who are experts in swimming will also participate in the searches. A parallel search will be conducted using a helicopter.

As many as 25 ambulances will cross the Bailey Bridge constructed by the Indian Army in record time to Mundakkai after the structure collapsed due to the landslides.

Four more dogs from Tamil Nadu will be brought to Wayanad on Friday. Six other dogs are already involved in the rescue operations.

US President Joe Biden extended his condolences to the families of those who died in the landslides in Wayanad. The death toll is expected to rise further as the rescue operations continue.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rain for Wayanad and several other districts of Kerala.