4, Including 2 Women, Found Alive in Wayanad Landslide Debris by Army

Wayanad: The ongoing rescue and relief operations in landslide-hit Wayanad district of Kerala entered their fifth day on Friday, with the death toll climbing to 308. While the situation remains grim, a glimmer of hope emerged as the Indian Army successfully rescued four individuals, including two women, from the debris in Padavetti Kunnu.

The Army’s swift response and deployment of an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) were crucial in evacuating the survivors, one of whom sustained leg injuries and received immediate medical attention.

To expedite rescue efforts, the Indian Army’s Southern Command constructed a Bailey Bridge over the Iruvanipzha River at Chooralmala, enabling the deployment of heavy machinery to the affected areas. Ten specialised rescue teams, equipped with advanced equipment and canine squads, are meticulously searching for survivors across six designated zones.

Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed that 195 bodies and 113 body parts have been recovered so far. The state government, in collaboration with the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies, is working tirelessly to provide essential aid and support to the affected population.

The Indian Air Force is set to deploy a C-130 aircraft equipped with specialized drone systems to assist in the search for survivors trapped under the soil.

The massive landslides that struck Chooralmala and Mundakkai on July 30 have caused widespread devastation in Wayanad. Authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage and the number of missing persons.