Homes Vanished, Land Lost, Wayanad Landslide Victims Share Sorrowful Stories; Death Toll Reaches 308
Wayanad Landslides: Two days after three massive landslides hit the Wayanad district of Kerala, the death toll has reached 308. A series of search and rescue operations by the NDRF, Indian army and air force continue to evacuate victims.
The disaster has destroyed homes, vegetation, vehicles, and families. People are still searching for their loved ones and are haunted by terrible memories.
#WATCH | Kerala: Search and rescue operations continue at landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad.
The current death toll stands at 308, as per Kerala Health Minister Veena George pic.twitter.com/CY0iOuPHf4
— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2024
Sharing her experience after the landslide, an elderly woman named Sujata said she and her grandchild spent the night next to a wild elephant.
Talking to PTI she said, "We barely escaped as our house collapsed and we ran to a hill near the forest. There, we realized we were next to an elephant". The victim pleaded with the elephant not to harm them because they had lost everything. "We spent the whole night beside him," she added.
Another victim Sirajudeen and his family watched as boulders and trees destroyed everything they owned, including their autorickshaw, which was their source of income.
CM on task
On Thursday, the Chief Minister led a high-level meeting with leaders from all political parties, state ministers, and other officials. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the top priority is to rescue the missing persons and begin rehabilitation as soon as possible.
"Our focus is on rescuing those who were isolated and stranded. I appreciate the efforts of the Army personnel, who have informed us that most of the trapped individuals have been rescued," CM Vijayan said while addressing the media in Wayanad. "Bringing down machinery to rescue those trapped under the soil was difficult, but building the bridge made it easier. The construction of the Bailey Bridge is mostly complete."
The Chief Minister stated that rescue operations will continue in the river to search for missing people, with the next focus being on rehabilitation. Earlier on Thursday, the India Meteorological Department of Kerala issued an orange alert for the Wayanad district until Saturday, where landslides have already claimed over 200 lives.
Neetha K Gopal, the IMD Kerala director, said there will be rain, but there might be some clear spells in between, which will help the rescue operators.
Piyush Anand, Director General of the National Disaster Response Force, said on Thursday that four teams are currently in Wayanad, doing their best to save as many people as possible. He added that there are currently 12 teams in Kerala, with four of them in Wayanad.
Rahul Gandhi reached Wayanad
Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, visited the landslide site at Chooralmala, Wayanad, on Thursday. Rahul Gandhi told the media that it was a tragedy for Wayanad and that much needs to be done in the area.
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