Wayanad (Kerala) [India], August 1 (ANI): Waging through inclement weather conditions, the <keyword id="22623673" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Madras-Engineer-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Madras Engineer Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Madras Engineer Group">Madras Engineer Group</keyword> (MEG), an engineering unit of the <keyword id="19908736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Army" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Army">Indian Army</keyword> that began work on erecting a temporary Bailey Bridge in landslide affected <keyword id="22596328" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chooralmala" source="keywords">Chooralmala</keyword>, is making steady progress towards its completion. Taking to its social media handle, the <keyword id="14679619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army-Southern-Command" source="Orion">Indian Army Southern Command</keyword> Pune posted on X, "Persevering and relentless, despite facing inclement weather, rising water levels and the challenges of working through the night, the Madras Engineers Group (MEG) team is inching towards completing the bridge at Chooralmala." As per reports, the rescue team can transport the rescue vehicles, cutters, food and water to Mundakkai only after the completion of the bridge. Currently, numerous volunteers are working tirelessly among the rubble of houses and buildings to detect any signs of life. After two massive <keyword id="19964849" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="landslides" source="keywords">landslides</keyword> struck Wayanad, Kerala, on Tuesday morning, causing extensive destruction, <keyword id="20501159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rescue-operations" source="keywords">rescue operations</keyword> are being intensified, political leaders are engaged in discussions, and financial aid is being mobilised for the region. The first landslide occurred in Mundakkai, a town, and the second in Chooralmala. The massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region, damaging houses and roads, uprooting trees, and swelling water bodies, which hindered rescue operations. Relief and rescue efforts are currently underway. The landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala, Wayanad, have resulted in 167 confirmed deaths, as per the Kerala Revenue Department. According to sources from the Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD) Control Room in Wayanad, 96 victims have been identified, including 77 men, 67 women, and 22 children. Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on 166 bodies and 49 body parts. A total of 75 bodies have been handed over to relatives. Rescue personnel have brought 219 individuals to hospitals; 78 are still receiving treatment, while 142 have been moved to relief camps. In Wayanad, 73 people are hospitalised, and five in Malappuram. Amid the rising death toll, the Indian Army has intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after the landslides. According to the Ministry of Defence, "The Army has set up a "Command and Control Centre" headed by Major General VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, along with Brigadier Arjun Segan, at Kozhikode for coordinating HADR efforts." Naval aviation assets provided due support for the transportation of SDRF and state administration officials. Multiple aircraft are on standby at Thiruvananthapuram, Sulur, and Thanjavur to provide air rescue at short notice. Besides the aid in terms of medicine and first aid, ECHS Polyclinic, Kalpetta, is providing the services of doctors, nursing assistants, and ambulances to the flood operations columns. In the wake of the devastating landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, Union Minister George Kurien visited the affected area on Wednesday to assess the ongoing rescue operations. Kurien took stock of the rescue operation underway and also met the victims at the relief camps. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased in the landslides. "The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad," PM's office said in a post on X. The post further said that the injured would be given Rs 50,000.

Wayanad landslides: Indian Army's engineering unit pushes through adverse conditions to complete Chooralmala bridge

<keyword id="19945808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wayanad" source="keywords">Wayanad</keyword>: Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> visited the landslide-devastated areas of Wayanad district in <keyword id="19896018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala" source="keywords">Kerala</keyword> on Saturday and trekked through the disaster-stricken Chooralmala to get a firsthand view of the destruction caused by the July 30 landslides. Modi arrived in the hill district by a helicopter from Kannur airport. He walked through the affected regions to assess the damage. Earlier, the Prime Minister conducted an aerial survey of the landslide-ravaged areas of Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Punchirimattam hamlets aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter. He landed at the SKMJ Higher Secondary School in Kalpetta and then travelled by road to Chooralmala, where a 190-foot-long Bailey bridge had been built by the army after the disaster. The PM walked on the bridge, while surveying the damage. After reaching Chooralmala, Modi got down from his vehicle, interacted with rescue personnel, state chief secretary V Venu and district officials, and surveyed the area--strewn with boulders and debris-- on foot. He was accompanied by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister Suresh Gopi. In the aerial survey, he saw the origin of the <keyword id="19981332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="landslide" source="keywords">landslide</keyword>, which is in the origin of Iruvazhinji Puzha (River). He also observed the worst affected areas of Punchirimattam, Mundakkai and Chooralmala. Hundreds were gathered on the roadsides along the route taken by the PM's convoy to Chooralmala to catch a glimpse of him. As many as 226 people have lost their lives and over 130 remain missing in one of the worst calamities to have struck Kerala in the early hours of July 30.

PM Narendra Modi visits disaster-hit Chooralmala in Wayanad

Wayanad (Kerala) [India]: Death toll in <keyword id="57043" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="landslides" source="Orion">landslides</keyword> in Kerala's Wayanad district has climbed to 148, the Kerala State Revenue Department said on Tuesday. However, the Commandant of the Para Regimental Training, Brigadier Arjun Seagan said "150 deaths have been recorded so far" and "around 200 to 250 individuals have been rescued". Two massive landslides struck the state's hilly areas in Meppadi panchayat early on July 30 morning with villages Mundakkai, <keyword id="22610472" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chooralmala" source="Orion">Chooralmala</keyword>, Attamala and Noolpuzha among the severely affected. The area which has been witnessing incessant rainfall over the past two weeks faced devastation after the landslide struck, with rivers and their tributaries swelling and changing course, flowing through the villages and wreaking destruction. Rescue teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force and <keyword id="58585" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDRF" source="Orion">NDRF</keyword> are assisting in <keyword id="20501159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rescue-operations" source="keywords">rescue operations</keyword>. 60 teams from the Ezhimala Naval Academy arrived in Chooralmala early this morning to assist in rescue operations. The team, comprising 45 sailors, five officers, six fire guards and a doctor is headed by Lt Commandant Ashirvad, the Kerala Public Relations Department said. A dog squad has also joined the search and rescue operations. Commandant of the Para Regimental Training, Brigadier Arjun Seagan told ANI that "rescue operations have been ongoing since yesterday morning. Yesterday, due to bad weather conditions, the rescue teams were not able to rescue a lot of people. Around 500 to 600 personnel from the NDRF team, army, state police, forest officials, and volunteers have been carrying out the rescue operations today". Brigadier Seagan said efforts were on to rebuild the washed-away bridge and as soon the conditions become better, people will be airlifted out. "We are trying our best to build the bridge again so that we can move the earth-moving equipment inside and to make the digging process easier. We have been doing the process manually as of now. As soon as the weather conditions become better, we will start airlifting the people," the army official said. The Southern Command of the <keyword id="19908736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Army" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Army">Indian Army</keyword> posted on its social media site X on Wednesday morning that upto 1,000 people have been rescued so far. "In a remarkable display of coordinated efforts, #IndianArmy Columns along with #NDRF, State rescue teams, #CoastGuard, #IndianNavy and #IAF, have been relentlessly working to address the crisis. Upto 1,000 personnel rescued so far using a man-made bridge and human effort. Approx 70 dead bodies recovered by Army column," the post read. "Two additional Army Columns airlifted from Trivandrum by <keyword id="15141" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force" source="Orion">Indian Air Force</keyword> Air Craft AN 32 &amp; C 130 landed at Calicut at 10:30 PM last night. These columns commenced their onward journey to #Wayanad at 6:45 AM today, with even an Army Officer on leave volunteering to join the mission", it read. While the first landslide was reported to have hit Mundakkai in Mepadi panchayat around 1.30 am, a second landslide hit the area around 4 am on Monday. Due to the torrent of water gushing down from Mundakkai to Chooralmala the river Iruvazhinji got diverted, resulting in flash floods washing away Chooralmala village. Houses were buried, trees uprooted and people swept away in the landslides. People who were stranded in Mundakkai after the bridge connecting Mundakkai with Chooralmala and Attamala was washed away, were rescued on Tuesday evening after Army constructed a make-shift bridge across the river. Houses were buried and trees uprooted in the area and bodies were found floating in the Chaliyar river in Pothukal village in Wayanad's neighbouring district of Malappuram. The Chaliyar River originates in Chooralmala and flows behind Mundakkai and then goes via the Soochipara Falls to reach Pothukal. According to reports, bodies of people who were washed ashore and recovered from the banks of dead bodies were recovered from the ghats of Iruttkuthi, Ambittanpotty, Kunippala, Njettikulam, Machikai, Bhoodanam, Vellilamad, Munderi and Panangayam. The bodies of 75 victims have been identified so far, according to a compilation of official data from the Kerala Revenue Department taking into account data from hospitals in the area. It said that postmortem procedures of 123 dead bodies have been completed and of these bodies of 62 victims have been identified and released to their families so far. The bodies of 83 victims have been identified so far. Postmortem procedures of 143 dead bodies were also completed. Of these, 32 bodies are kept in Nilambur District Hospital. 25 body parts at Nilambur and the post mortem of all the body parts are completed, it said. Out of the deceased at Nilambur are 19 are male bodies, 11 are female bodies and two small children. At the CHC Meppadi the deceased include 47 male and 44 females. In Wayanad, several injured were taken to WIMS Hospital in Meppadi, the Government Hospital in Kalpeta, the Taluk Hospital in Vythiri and the Taulk Hospital in Bathery. In Mallapuram, the injured are receiving treatment at Kondotty Taluk Hospital and the Manjery government hospital. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that 45 relief camps have been set up in Wayanad and over 3000 people have been rehabilitated there.

Kerala landslides: Death toll rises to 150; Navy teams arrive in Chooralmala for rescue ops

Heavy rains triggered a series of massive landslides in the hilly areas of <keyword id="19896018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala" source="keywords">Kerala</keyword>'s Wayanad district early on Tuesday, leaving at least 45 persons dead and sparking apprehensions of possible increase in fatalities due to hundreds of people feared trapped under the debris. Calamity struck in the early hours of Tuesday, catching the sleeping victims off-guard. Frantic calls for help were made and the rescue personnel were racing against time to pull out survivors. According to the district collector Meghasree D R, the latest <keyword id="20071846" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toll" source="keywords">toll</keyword> stood at 45. In connection with the landslide in Chooralmala she confirmed that 36 deaths have been reported. Additionally, nine bodies swept away by the Chaliyar River were recovered in Malappuram. The bodies of the deceased are being taken to various hospital morgues for identification and autopsy. Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were among the areas affected and cut off by the landslides, authorities said. Rescue teams were working tirelessly to evacuate those stranded, with the Indian Army joining the efforts. Besides the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the state government has also deployed disaster response teams from the police and the fire force to affected areas. Hundreds are feared to be trapped in the landslides, but authorities have not confirmed this. Frantic phone calls made by people desperately pleading for help after being trapped under destroyed houses and piles of debris highlighted the intensity of the deadly landslide. Television channels aired heartwrenching phone conversations of several people crying and pleading to be rescued, as they were either trapped in their houses or had no way to travel due to washed-away bridges and flooded roads. In one such conversation, a woman, apparently a native of <keyword id="22599543" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chooralmala-town" source="keywords">Chooralmala town</keyword>, was heard crying aloud, saying someone in her house was trapped under marsh and debris and they could not pull her out. "Someone, please come and help us. We have lost our house. We don't know whether Nausheen (apparently a family member) is alive. She is trapped in the marsh. Her mouth is full of marsh and sand. Our house is in the town itself," the woman said. State Revenue Minister K Rajan said that over 70 people who were injured in the landslides have been admitted to various hospitals. The Kerala government has sought the assistance of the Indian Army for rescue operations. A Defence PRO said on Tuesday 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. Their deployment aims to augment existing rescue operations and provide relief to those affected by the landslides. Of those killed, four people, including a child, died in Chooralmala town of the district. 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the incident and said he spoke to Cihef Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible help from the Centre to the state. "Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. "Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there," Modi said in a post on social media platform 'X'. The landslides left a trail of destruction, with several houses destroyed, water bodies swollen, and trees uprooted, hampering rescue operations. Picturesque hamlets known for their beauty until Monday--Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha- are now a picture of gloom after landslides hit the areas, cutting them off from other places. Vehicles washed away in floodwaters could be seen stuck in tree trunks and submerged here and there in many places. Swollen water bodies changed their course and flowed through inhabited areas, resulting in more destruction. Huge boulders rolled down the hills and hindered the path of rescue workers. Collector Meghasree said disaster relief work is progressing in affected areas and rescue operations are being carried out by the NDRF, fire force, police, and the Forest, Revenue and Local Self-government departments. Along with government agencies, volunteers and local residents are cooperating in the rescue operation, she said in a statement. The Collector also informed that the shutter of Banasura Sagar dam, on the Karamanthodu river, was opened and warned those living downstream and in low-lying areas to be cautious. Earlier, in a video message, UDF MLA T Siddique said that district authorities were drawing up plans to airlift people from Mundakkai area. "Currently, we have no complete information about those missing and dead in the landslides. Many areas have been cut off. NDRF personnel are trying to reach those places," he said. Vijayan said in a Facebook post that two Air Force helicopters will depart for Wayanad from Sulur (Coimbatore in TN) shortly to take part in the search and rescue operations. 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Kerala landslides: Toll climbs to 45, rescue ops underway

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday confirmed 308 deaths in the multiple landslides that hit <keyword id="19945808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wayanad" source="keywords">Wayanad</keyword> on July 30. The rescue and relief operations are underway in Chooralmala and Mundakkai in the Meppadi region where the landslides wreaked havoc. Minister George said that 195 bodies and 113 body parts have been recovered so far. The Indian Army earlier today handed over the 190-feet <keyword id="22205482" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bailey-Bridge" source="keywords">Bailey Bridge</keyword> to the civil administration which was built over the Iruvanjippuzha river connecting the regions Chooralmala and Mundakkai, isolated by the landslides. A Defence statement said that high earth movement equipment was shifted to the other side and vehicle movement was being regulated by the civil administration. The personnel also held a meeting at Wayanad District Collector's office. The officials said that search operations by relief teams along with dog squads started at 7 am today. This includes 10 teams comprising 30 members each formed from Armed Forces personnel including Police. The affected area has been divided into six zones based on accessibility and prospects of recovery of missing persons, namely Zone 1 -Punchirimattom region, Zone 2 - Mundekkai region, Zone 3 - School area, Zone 4 - Chooralmala town area, Zone 5 - Village area and Zone 6 - Downstream. The rescue and relief operations coordinated by the Army, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration are underway at multiple locations, ensuring quick evacuation of stranded people, and provision of basic amenities and medical assistance. Former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi visited the affected sites on Thursday. They also met the people in shelter camps in Wayanad. The Congress leaders continue to stay in Wayanad on Friday. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting in Wayanad to take stock of the situation. He said that rescue will be the main priority and that rehabilitation will be done at the earliest. The Chief Minister's appeal for contributions to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) has garnered significant support. Through campaign drives, donations are pouring in from different quarters to aid the affected areas. The campaign focuses on mobilizing contributions from residents and businesses. Organizers hope to gather a significant amount through these efforts. Despite the negative propaganda against the relief fund, this initiative aims to reinforce the public's trust and ensure the fund's effectiveness. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/ola-electric-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112185870.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/ola-electric-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112185870.cms" target="_blank">Ola Electric IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/nothing-phone-2a-plus-with-dimensity-7350-pro-chipset-launched-in-india-starting-at-29999/articleshow/112164963.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/nothing-phone-2a-plus-with-dimensity-7350-pro-chipset-launched-in-india-starting-at-29999/articleshow/112164963.cms" target="_blank">Nothing Phone (2a) Plus with Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset launched in India starting at ₹29,999</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-shipments-decline-by-2-in-q2-2024-xiaomi-retakes-the-throne/articleshow/112162312.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-shipments-decline-by-2-in-q2-2024-xiaomi-retakes-the-throne/articleshow/112162312.cms" target="_blank">Indian smartphone shipments decline by 2% in Q2 2024, Xiaomi retakes the throne</a>

Kerala: Death toll rises to 308 in Wayanad landslides

<keyword id="461419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wayanad" source="Orion">Wayanad</keyword> (<keyword id="28504" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala" source="Orion">Kerala</keyword>) [India], July 31 (ANI): The <keyword id="6354416" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army" source="Orion">Indian Army</keyword> has ramped up its <keyword id="6388465" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rescue-operations" source="Orion">rescue operations</keyword> in Kerala's Wayanad following devastating landslides, successfully evacuating more than 1,000 people from affected areas to safety. As of Wednesday morning, the bodies of around 70 victims have been recovered. As per an official statement, four columns from the DSC Centre in Kannur and the 122 TA Battalion are conducting combined rescue efforts alongside the <keyword id="58585" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDRF" source="Orion">NDRF</keyword> and state <keyword id="705261" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rescue-teams" source="Orion">rescue teams</keyword>. An advance party from MEG &amp; Centre, consisting of one officer, one JCO, and three ORs, arrived at 07:00 pm on Tuesday to conduct reconnaissance on Meppadi-Chooralmala Road and assess the need for bridge resources in affected areas. Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the PARA Regiment Training Centre, and his team (two officers, four JCOs, 24 ORs) arrived at 11:00 pm on Tuesday. They conducted a reconnaissance of a potential bridge site and established a Control Centre for coordinating the Indian Army's HADR efforts, supported by the Commandant of the DSC Centre. Two Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) columns, including medical teams, were airlifted from Trivandrum to Kozhikode by AN32 and C-130 aircraft (six officers, seven JCOs, 121 ORs) and arrived at Kozhikode airport at 11:00 pm on Tuesday, staying overnight. Movement of fuel and other supplies is planned by road, with columns set to move to their designated locations for rescue operations. The Engineering Task Force (ETF) from the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre (one officer, two JCOs, 120 ORs) arrived at 03:00 am on Wednesday with a JCB, TATRA, and a 110-foot T/S Bailey Bridge. These resources will be deployed based on inputs from the advance party's reconnaissance. Two additional Bailey Bridges from MEG &amp; Centre began movement by road, and a C-17 aircraft carrying one set of Bailey Bridge from Engineers Stores Depot, Delhi Cantt, and three Search and Rescue Dog Teams departed from Delhi Airport on Wednesday morning, the army said. Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is also actively engaged in rescue and relief operations. The ICG Disaster Relief Teams from Kochi and Beypore are on the ground, providing aid and support. <div type="twitter" handle="IndiaCoastGuard" handlename="IndiaCoastGuard" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1818500439920296319"></div> Planned actions for the day include executing rescue operations with all six columns in conjunction with NDRF and civil administration, commencing bridge construction on Meppadi-Chooralmala Road, and using airlifted earth-moving equipment. "An aerial reconnaissance by Brigadier Seagan and the ETF Commander is scheduled for Wednesday morning to assess additional resource needs based on aerial observations and civil administration requirements," the army said in its statement. The Indian Army remains committed to providing all necessary support to the people of Kerala during this challenging time, it added. The massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region as houses and roads were damaged, trees uprooted, and water bodies swelled, hindering rescue operations. Kerala is observing two days of mourning till Wednesday. The national flag was flown at half mast at the state assembly. On Tuesday, Union Minister George Kurian reached Wayanad to take stock of ongoing relief operations, where he interacted with senior officials of the NDRF, CRPF, and Army officials. He also visited a relief camp at Kalpetta. The Prime Minister's Office has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.

Wayanad landslides: Indian Army intensifies rescue ops in affected areas, 1000 shifted to safe locations

Multiple <keyword id="21655017" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDRF-teams" source="keywords">NDRF teams</keyword>, two helicopters and other rescue efforts are on their way to <keyword id="22596329" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mundakkai" source="keywords">Mundakkai</keyword>, which has been totally cut off by devastating landslides that hit <keyword id="19896018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Kerala" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Kerala">Kerala</keyword>'s hilly Wayanad district, the state government said on Tuesday. 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. "One team of NDRF is clearing the way as they progress towards Mundakkai. Three more teams will arrive by afternoon. Two choppers of the Army will also reach soon," Rajan said. He further said bodies were recovered downstream of the Chaliyar river. "Nearly 70 people have been admitted to various hospitals in Kozhikode; at least 12 bodies are there in the hospitals," Rajan added. Ministers Rajan, P A Mohammed Riyas and O Kelu are expected to reach Wayanad soon. Minister A K Saseendran has already reached the place and is visiting the injured. Another state Minister, Ramachandran Kadannappally has also reached the place. Police and the Health department have started multiple call centres and control rooms. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan 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. Wayanad district Collector Meghasree D R said disaster relief work is progressing in affected areas and rescue operations are being carried out by the NDRF, Fire force, police and the Forest, Revenue and Local Self-government departments. Along with government agencies, volunteers and local residents are cooperating in the rescue operation, she said in a statement. According to district authorities, several families have been moved to the various camps or homes of their relatives in the wake of the landslides. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ola-electric-ipo-mapmyindia-accuses-company-of-stealing-map-data-days-before-ipo-opens/articleshow/112109869.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ola-electric-ipo-mapmyindia-accuses-company-of-stealing-map-data-days-before-ipo-opens/articleshow/112109869.cms" target="_blank">Ola Electric IPO – MapMyIndia accuses company of stealing map data days before IPO opens</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/redmi-pad-pro-5g-with-snapdragon-7s-gen-2-launched-in-india-starting-at-21999/articleshow/112105133.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/redmi-pad-pro-5g-with-snapdragon-7s-gen-2-launched-in-india-starting-at-21999/articleshow/112105133.cms" target="_blank">Redmi Pad Pro 5G with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 launched in India starting at ₹21,999</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-price-cut-apple-announces-price-cut-after-reduction-in-customs-duty/articleshow/112100195.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-price-cut-apple-announces-price-cut-after-reduction-in-customs-duty/articleshow/112100195.cms" target="_blank">iPhone price cut – Apple announces price cut after reduction in customs duty</a>

Wayanad landslides: NDRF teams, Army choppers, Ministers rush to Wayanad

The <keyword id="19906608" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="death-toll" source="keywords">death toll</keyword> from the landslides in Kerala's <keyword id="19945808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wayanad" source="keywords">Wayanad</keyword> district continued to rise as rescuers, braving rains and challenging terrain, searched for around 300 people still missing on the fourth day of the incident. "The death toll from landslides has risen to 195," Wayanad District Collector Meghashree D R said on Friday. Fears grew that the death toll would climb higher, as authorities reported that many more body parts had been collected, with genetic testing underway to identify the remains. Earlier in the day, Kerala ADGP M R Ajith Kumar said 300 people were still missing. "Based on the information we have received till now, approximately around 300 people are still missing. However, the Revenue Department is still collating the details. Within one or two days we will be able to get a final picture," Kumar said. The search and <keyword id="20501159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rescue-operations" source="keywords">rescue operations</keyword> by 40 teams that got underway early morning received an impetus due to the completion of the 190-foot-long Bailey bridge. The structure will enable the movement of heavy machinery, including excavators, and ambulances to the worst-affected Mundakkai and Chooralmala hamlets. A Defence source said Columns with dog squads commenced search operations at 7 am. Search operations were planned based on local interest. Officials said the 40 teams are conducting search operations in six zones of the landslides-hit areas -- Attamala and Aaranmala (first), Mundakkai (second), Punchirimattam (third), Vellarimala village (fourth), GVHSS Vellarimala (fifth), and riverbank (sixth). The joint teams include personnel from the Army, NDRF, DSG, Coast Guard, Navy, and MEG along with three locals and one forest department employee. In addition to this, a three-pronged search operation has also been launched, focusing on the Chaliyar river. The eight police stations, along the 40-km stretch of Chaliyar, have joined forces with local swimming experts to search the river for bodies that may have flown downstream or trapped along the riverbanks. Simultaneously, another search operation is being conducted using a police helicopter. Besides this, the Coast Guard, Navy, and Forest Department also jointly conducted a search operation focusing on the riverbanks and areas where bodies may be trapped. The District Collector said GPS coordinates from aerial drone pictures and cell phones, including the last location of people who lived in the landslide-hit areas, have been used to identify spots where search and rescue operations can be focused. She also said that aerial photographs taken by drones have helped identify GPS coordinates of specific search locations. "We mapped these data and gave it to all the teams so that the search and rescue operations can proceed efficiently and speedily," the Collector said. According to official sources, the extent of human loss will emerge when rescuers clear houses covered by debris and wooden logs using heavy machinery. Meanwhile, the rescue workers on Friday found a family of four isolated in an area near Padavetti Kunnu. The family--comprising two males and as many females, was isolated after the landslide cut off their house from the rest of the region. A Defence PRO said the family will be airlifted. State Revenue Minister K Rajan, a day ago, had said a drone-based radar from Delhi would arrive on Saturday to locate bodies buried in the mud. He also said that currently, six dogs are assisting in the search operation and four more will join from Tamil Nadu. Amidst the despair, an elderly tea stall owner from Kollam, Subaida, has exemplified the expression of humanity. She selflessly donated her meagre earnings and welfare pension to help those who lost everything in the devastating landslides that hit Wayanad. Hailing from Pallithottam in Kollam district, Subaida runs a small tea shop to make ends meet for herself and her husband. She donated Rs 10,000 to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF). The amount comprises her small earnings from the tea stall and the welfare pensions received by the couple. "I had withdrawn the amount from the bank a few days ago to repay the interest on a loan. But then we saw on TV that contributions were being sought from everyone to help those who lost everything in the Wayanad landslides. "My husband immediately asked me to go and give the money to the Collector. He said the interest payments could wait, as giving aid was more important. So, I went and deposited the money at the collectorate here. I cannot go to Wayanad and help out in person," she said. 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