Wayanad Landslides: Toll Crosses 350; Movements On Radar Raise Hope, Guidelines Issued For Burial Of Remains — Updates

The Advanced Radar System search was halted at 9:15 PM despite indications of breathing. No definitive results were obtained but the state has instructed that rescue efforts for potential survivors continue.

Kerala’s General Education Minister V Sivankutty reported that 49 children are either missing or dead following the landslides

Source : PTI

The devastating landslides that struck Wayanad district have claimed the lives of 308 people and left 264 injured. As rescue efforts entered their fifth day on Saturday, search and rescue operations continue in full force across the affected areas.

In an effort to facilitate these operations, Indian Army personnel have constructed a temporary bridge to allow machinery to pass through. Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Rana provided an update on the ongoing efforts, stating, "Today, we have the same plan as yesterday. We have divided the area into different zones and teams have been dispatched accordingly. Scientists and sniffer dogs are assisting us, and local residents are also supporting the search and rescue operations."

Signs Of Life Detected Using Advanced Radar System

In the village of Mundakkai, rescuers detected signs of life using an advanced radar system. Despite detecting consistent signals indicating breathing, the search operation was called off at 9:15 PM without concrete results. Officials clarified that it was unclear whether the signal was from a human or an animal. The government has directed the continuation of efforts to rescue any potential survivors.

On the rescue operation, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, The search to find every beat of life continues. Even the small movements that are caught on the radars are raising hope. Rescuers are searching if there are lives left inside the destroyed building even in this darkness. Forest officials rescued six people who were isolated in the tribal sanctuary after eight hours of hard work."

"This land is indebted to the bravery and sacrifice of the rescue workers. The world is again realizing the greatness of the word human through Kerala. We can overcome this crisis with unity, without losing our courage," he said.

Wayanad’s District Collector, Meghashree DR TT who was among the first officials on the scene detailed the protocols being followed for the search and rescue operations, emphasising the use of advanced technology. Regarding the specific warning provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Meghashree noted that an orange alert had been issued. "We followed the protocol and evacuated people. It’s a disaster where an entire town was washed away. No one anticipated this," she said.

Wayanad Landslides: Latest Updates

• Actor Mohanlal dressed in Army uniform, visits an Army camp set up in Meppadi. He is also likely to visit landslides-hit areas of Wayanad on Saturday.
  

  VIDEO | Actor Mohanlal (@Mohanlal), dressed in Army uniform, visits an Army camp set up in Meppadi. He is also likely to visit landslides-hit areas of #Wayanad later today.
  
  (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/A0REYA7Rg6

  — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 3, 2024

• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "As far as Wayanad (landslides tragedy) is concerned, the Congress party raised the issue in Parliament that there was no advance information, alert. They started accusing the government and then the Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) said advance warning was given. It is not politics when they accuse, but when we issue clarification, it is politics - why? Several advance warnings were sent despite that no action was taken (by Kerala government)."
  
  
• Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, "Rescue operations in the Wayanad disaster-affected area are in the final stage. The initial phase focussed on bringing everyone to safe locations. Rescuers risked their own lives, driven by even the faintest hope of saving others".
  
  
• 49 Children Among Missing: Kerala’s General Education Minister, V Sivankutty, reported that 49 children are either missing or dead following the landslides. He highlighted the extensive damage to educational institutions, including the complete destruction of the Government Higher Secondary School at Vellarimala and significant damage to four other schools in the area.
  
  "As per the reports, 49 children are either dead or missing. The Vellarimala GHSS has been completely destroyed. The GLPS Mundakkai has been partially damaged. Three other schools have also suffered minor damage," Sivankutty stated.
  
  
• Heroic Rescue by Forest Officers: Amidst the tragedy, a heroic rescue effort by forest officers has garnered attention. A team led by Kalpetta Range Forest Officer, K Hashis, rescued a tribal family, including four toddlers, who were stranded in a cave atop a hill. The daring operation involved a four-and-a-half-hour trek through dangerous terrain.
• Speaking to PTI, Hashis recounted discovering the mother and a four-year-old child wandering near the forest. Upon learning about the rest of the family stranded without food, the team successfully rescued them, ensuring their safety.
  
  

• Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced on Facebook that ICUs have been prepared in government hospitals in Wayanad for treating those seriously injured in the landslides. She also mentioned that genetic samples have been taken from the body parts recovered so far.