Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Kerala. The death toll due to landslide in Waylad district on Tuesday has reached 123. More than 250 people have been saved during the rescue operation. While the search for many people buried under the debris is still going on. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rain in many districts for Wednesday, July 31. In view of the situation, school holidays have been declared in 11 districts of Kerala. Schools and colleges will remain closed on July 31 in Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, Idukki, Pathinamthitta, Thrissur, Kannur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Palakkad.
Let us tell you that the havoc of nature has left traces of destruction in Wayanad district of Kerala. State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday expressed grief over the devastation caused by landslides in Wayanad district and urged people to come together to rebuild livelihoods in these difficult times. Many people are offering help, CM Vijayan said. But more is needed to rebuild the affected areas and lives. CM urged everyone to contribute to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Vijayan said villagers, including children, were sleeping in Mundkai, Churalmala and Attamala areas of Wayanad. In which many people were washed away or trapped in the debris, he said that those who have been identified among the recovered bodies have been handed over to their families. The CM also said that 16 bodies have been recovered from the Chaliyar river in Pothukal village of neighboring Malappuram district. Apart from this, search and rescue teams have also recovered body parts of the people who were swept away.
He said that many places in the hill district, including Mundkai and Churalmala, have been cut off from other areas due to landslides, due to which roads in the area have been washed away. Velaramala GVH School is completely buried under the ground. Houses have suffered heavy damage. Fire force, NDRF and police are all working together to control the situation. Various units of the Army and Navy are also involved in the rescue operation.
According to the information received from CM Vijayan, efforts are being made to save the lives of maximum people, provide better treatment to the injured and take other people to safe places. 45 camps have been set up in the district. Special steps are being taken to provide food, water and other essential items to the people shifted to relief camps. More medical facilities are being provided in hospitals. Additionally, additional health workers are being appointed. Apart from this, genetic tests will be conducted to identify unidentified bodies.
The CM has announced that the state will observe two days of official mourning over the tragic loss of lives and property in the Wayanad landslide. During this period, public programs and ceremonies will not be organized and the national flag will remain at half mast. The landslide has caused a lot of destruction, many houses have been destroyed, water sources are in spate and trees have been uprooted, hampering rescue operations. Till Monday, Mundakkai, Churalamala, Attamala and Noolpuzha, famous for their beauty, are now presenting a picture of gloom.
Alert of heavy rain in Uttarakhand, schools closed in these districts
At the same time, heavy rains are going on in Uttarakhand also. A red alert has been issued for heavy rain in the next 24 hours in many districts including the capital Dehradun.
Amidst the red alert of heavy rain issued by the Meteorological Department, an order has been issued to keep all government schools, private schools and Anganwadi centers closed up to class 12th in Dehradun, Tehri, Nainital. According to IMD, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rain in some districts on Wednesday, July 31.