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Trivandrum, India
Rescue operations are underway in Wayanad where a landslide occurred on Tuesday morning. (Image source: News18.com)
Two teams of the Kannur Defense Security Force have also been directed to go to Wayanad to assist in the rescue operations.
A series of massive landslides occurred in several hilly areas near Maipati in Kerala's Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday, killing five people and leaving hundreds trapped.
The landslide occurred between 2 am and 4 am and mainly affected Mundakai and Chooralmala areas. Landslides caused severe damage and emergency responders faced severe challenges in reaching affected areas.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said fire brigade and NDRF teams have been deployed to the affected areas and an additional NDRF team is on its way to Wayanad.
The landslide in Mundakai has proven particularly difficult to access, with rescuers currently unable to reach the site due to blocked roads and unstable terrain. At the same time, work hard
Two teams of the Kannur Defense and Security Forces have also been directed to go to Wayanad to assist in the rescue and relief efforts, KSDMA said in a Facebook post.
A one-year-old child of a Nepali family living in Sundernad village was killed in a landslide, according to Wayanad district authorities.
Locals in affected areas reported that many feared being trapped. Continuing heavy rainfall hampered rescue operations.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said all government agencies have joined the search and rescue operation. In a statement issued by his office, Vijayan added that operations will be coordinated and state ministers will go to the hilly areas to lead rescue operations.
Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said the health ministry has opened a control room and issued an emergency contact number in the wake of landslides and other rain-related disasters.
People in need of emergency assistance can contact the authorities through these two numbers: 9656938689 and 8086010833.
All hospitals in the district, including those in Vaithiri, Kalpatta, Meppadi and Mananthavadi, are fully operational and ready to deal with emergencies. George said health workers arrived at the facilities overnight and more teams would be deployed to Wayanad to provide further support.
