Wayanad Landslides: Kerala CM Vijayan Announces New Mobiles, Free Rations & Duplicate Certificates For Survivors

Though official figures report 224 deaths other sources suggest the toll could be over 400. On Tuesday, Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed 224 fatalities and 154 missing persons.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state government is committed to providing comprehensive relief to the victims of the recent landslides in Wayanad. He said on Tuesday the government will distribute new mobile phones, free rations, and fresh duplicate certificates to those in need.

The search operations continue in the affected villages with multiple teams including the army, fire service and police involved. "Today, they reached Sunrise Valley on a helicopter and our aim to see that no area is left unsearched. There has been huge support from the local volunteers," Vijayan stated, according to a report on IANS.

Though official figures report 224 deaths other sources suggest the toll could be over 400. Vijayan confirmed 224 fatalities and 154 missing persons. To date, 157 body parts have been recovered and 88 people are receiving hospital treatment. Public funerals, attended by religious leaders of all faiths, are ongoing. Additional land will be acquired for the burial of bodies and body parts as they are found, he said.

The rescue effort involves 1,174 teams, nearly 90 heavy earth-moving machines and 237 ambulances. Vijayan assured that high-quality food is being provided to those in shelter camps and to the rescue teams, as per the report.

Many buildings in the affected areas are near collapse and will be demolished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act. A four-member Central team is arriving to assist, with state officials on hand to accompany them, Vijayan added.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader AK Antony demanded the Centre to come out with a package to help Kerala. Senior Congress leader AK Antony said, "...Today, I am contributing Rs. 50,000 to the CM relief fund. This is not a time to quarrel...The centre should come out with a package to help Kerala. My appeal to the central government is to extend maximum financial and other support to those people who are suffering..."