As many as 60 people have died in flood related incidents in Kerala in the last few days, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday. A total of 2,27,333 people from 65,548 families have been shifted to 1,551 relief camps, he added. While rescue operations are underway in all parts of the state, the search for those missing in Kavalappara in Malappuram and Puthumala in Wayanad have been hindered due to mudslides.
“The recurring landslides have affected the rescue operations in Kavalappara. Army and the fire force have been engaged in efforts to rescue people who have caught underneath the soil there. Five soil removing proclaimers have been brought there. Three National Disaster Response (NDRF) teams, one team of Engineering Task Force, one Coast Guard team and Madras Regiment team have been deployed solely for Malappuarm,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday.
“Wayanad is the worst hit. One dead body has been traced from Puthumala in Meppadi; eight more people have to be traced. In the area where the landslide occurred, between 2,000 and 3,000 people had been living in three wards. 70% of them had been shifted to safer areas. Sixty people were shifted through a forest in Ranimala. A relief camp has been opened for the remaining people,” he said.
One team each of Air Force has been deployed for rescue operations in Malappuram and Wayanad. Two helicopters have been used to bring food to the isolated areas.
The water level in rivers in Malappuram has reduced as the rains have receded. Both in Meppadi in Puthumala and in Kavalappara the accumulation of mud have made rescue operations difficult. However, it is expected that the operations will be completed on Sunday.
Heavy rains are predicted for two days and a high level meeting has decided to remain on alert for two more days.
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