New Delhi: The Army, Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) have intensified rescue operations in Kerala’s Wayanad following Tuesday’s devastating landslides that have so far claimed over 150 lives.
Since the initial requisition received from the civil administration on 30 July, six Army columns comprising around 500 personnel, including medical staff along with bridging equipment and rescue dogs, have been deployed.
Around 1,000 people have been rescued by the Army, provided medical aid and evacuated to the safer places. The force recovered 86 bodies.
The Army has set up a “command and control centre” headed by Major General V.T. Mathew, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, along with Brigadier Arjun Segan at Kozhikode for coordinating efforts.
Brigadier Segan carried out reconnaissance of the affected areas in the early hours Wednesday, and guided Army columns to affected areas. The troops worked along a six-kilometre stretch of landslide-affected areas.
The troops which were part of the humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) columns were mobilised from Kannur, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Two columns each belonging to DSC Centre, Kannur and 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) MADRAS, Kozhikode with a total strength of 225 personnel were the first responders.
Two additional HADR columns, including two medical teams with a strength of 135 personnel, were airlifted from Trivandrum to Kozhikode by AN-32 and C-130 aircraft to further boost rescue and relief.
The Kerala government had requested the Army to provide bridging work as connectivity was snapped after swathes of the Wayanad hillside collapsed.
In response, Army’s Engineer Task Force from Madras Engineer Group and Centre (MEG & Centre), with a strength of 123 personnel along with a set of 150-feet Bailey Bridge, three JCBs and other support equipment were rushed to the affected area.
Construction of a bridge on the Meepadi–Choormala Road was under progress, while the construction of a footbridge was completed overnight on 31 July.
A C-17 aircraft carrying another set of 110 feet Bailey Bridge from Engineers Stores Depot, Delhi Cantt and three search-and-rescue dog teams have also landed at Kannur for further deployment.
Additional resource requirements are being assessed based on aerial and ground reconnaissance and the needs of the civil administration.
During the day, IAF helicopters undertook multiple sorties dropping food and other relief material. Evacuation of civilian casualties was also executed from cut-off areas.
Naval aviation assets provided support in transportation of the state disaster force and other administration officials. Multiple aircraft were on standby at Thiruvananthapuram, Sulur and Thanjavur to provide air rescue at short notice.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Also read: Over 100 bodies recovered after landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad, many still trapped