Kerala Health Minister Veena George's vehicle met with a minor accident near Manjeri in Malappuram district on Wednesday, said the local police. The accident took place while the minister was on her way to Wayanad where twin landslides have wreaked havoc killing at least 143 people.
George has suffered minor injuries and is being treated at Manjeri Medical College, said the state health department, reported ANI.
The rescue operations resumed Wednesday morning after a night's pause due to bad weather on Tuesday. Teams of Army, National Disaster Response Force, and Fire Force are carrying out the rescue operations in the small hamlet of Mundakkai in the Wayanad district.
As many as 70 people were pulled out safely till 10 pm on Tuesday, said NDRF commander Akhilesh Kumar, adding that more people are feared trapped. The rescue operation had to be halted on Tuesday due to bad weather and rain, he said.
"People have been given shelter in a resort and a mosque on the other side of the river. Since rainfall is going on, there are chances of another landslide...," he added.
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Soldiers of the 122 Infantry Batallion of the Territorial Army also reached the spot to carry out the rescue operations. Roping in of helicopter services is also on cards if the weather conditions improve, an official told OnManorama.
The defence minister's office said that 300 military personnel were pressed to service in Wayanad to commence the rescue operations. "During the day, additional columns of Army, naval teams and helicopters from the Air Force were mobilised to assist the rescue and relief efforts," it said in a post on X.