Army rescues 1,000 people from landslides in Wayanad.
During the day, Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters conducted multiple sorties in response to the Wayanad landslides. The helicopters were instrumental in delivering essential supplies, including food items and other relief materials, to the affected areas. These operations were crucial in providing immediate aid to those stranded due to the landslides, which had blocked roads and made ground transportation difficult. The IAF’s involvement highlighted the coordinated efforts of various agencies in managing the disaster and ensuring that relief reached the impacted communities promptly. This swift response helped alleviate the hardships faced by the residents of Wayanad.
The recent landslides in Wayanad district, Kerala, have prompted a large-scale rescue and relief operation, involving multiple branches of the Indian military and disaster response agencies. These operations were intensified after the disaster claimed over 160 lives, with the Army reporting the recovery of more than 80 bodies and the rescue of nearly 1,000 people.
Trigger and Immediate Response
The landslides were triggered by extremely heavy rainfall, which struck the hilly areas of Wayanad early on Tuesday. The intense downpour led to deadly landslides that resulted in at least 167 fatalities and over 200 injuries. Additionally, 191 people were reported missing, creating an urgent need for search and rescue operations.
In response, the Indian Army set up a Command and Control Centre in Kozhikode, led by Major General VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding of the Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, and Brigadier Arjun Segan. This center was established to coordinate the extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts. Brigadier Segan conducted a reconnaissance of the affected regions early on Wednesday, providing vital guidance to the Army columns engaged in the rescue efforts.
Rescue Operations and Deployment
The rescue operations covered a six-kilometer stretch of the landslide-affected areas. The troops involved in the HADR mission were mobilized from various locations including Kannur, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram. The first responders, comprising two columns from the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre in Kannur and the 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Madras in Kozhikode, totaling 225 personnel, coordinated with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies to initiate rescue activities.
To bolster the ongoing efforts, two additional HADR columns, which included two medical teams with 135 personnel, were airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram to Kozhikode using AN-32 and C-130 aircraft. The deployment of an Army Engineer Task Force from the Madras Engineer Group and Centre (MEG & Centre), comprising 123 personnel, was also critical. This team brought with them a set of 150-feet Bailey bridges, three earthmovers, and other essential support equipment, which are crucial for restoring infrastructure and facilitating further rescue operations.
Infrastructure and Logistics
One of the key tasks undertaken by the Army’s Engineer Task Force was the construction of a bridge on the Meepadi-Choormala Road. This effort included moving certain earthmoving equipment across a stream using air transport. The rapid construction of a footbridge, completed overnight on July 30, was a significant achievement that enabled better access to the affected areas.
Further logistical support came in the form of a C-17 aircraft, which delivered an additional 110-feet Bailey bridge from the Engineers Stores Depot in Delhi Cantonment, along with three search and rescue dog teams that landed in Kannur. These resources are critical in searching for survivors and providing essential infrastructure.
Air and Naval Support
The Indian Air Force (IAF) played a vital role in the relief efforts, with helicopters conducting multiple sorties to drop food and other relief materials to stranded residents. Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal A P Singh confirmed the deployment of air assets, including the transport of Army equipment such as bridges. He noted that weather conditions had previously limited flight operations but had improved, allowing for more effective deployment.
Naval aviation assets also contributed by transporting State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and administrative officials to critical locations. Additionally, multiple aircraft were kept on standby in Thiruvananthapuram, Sulur, and Thanjavur, ready to provide air rescue at short notice if needed.
Medical and Community Support
Medical assistance was another crucial component of the relief operations. The ECHS Polyclinic in Kalpetta provided the services of doctors, nursing assistants, and ambulances to the flood operations columns, ensuring that immediate medical care was available to those affected by the disaster.
Despite the comprehensive response, adverse weather conditions, including persistent rainfall, posed significant challenges to the rescue and relief operations. The terrain and weather conditions hampered the efforts to reach all affected areas quickly and effectively. However, the coordinated efforts of the military, disaster response teams, and local authorities have been focused on providing immediate relief and support to the impacted communities.
Conclusion
The landslides in Wayanad have highlighted the vulnerability of hilly regions to extreme weather events and the importance of rapid response capabilities. The Indian military’s involvement, along with other agencies, underscores the scale and complexity of the response required in such disasters. As the situation evolves, the priority remains on rescuing the missing, providing relief to survivors, and restoring normalcy in the affected areas. The full impact of the disaster and the effectiveness of the response will likely be assessed in the days to come, as efforts continue to stabilize the region and support the recovery of the local population.