Wayanad: The Kerala Health Minister, Veena George, disclosed on Friday that a total of 199 post-mortem examinations have been conducted thus far in Wayanad.
In a Facebook post, Minister George further mentioned that in addition to the post-mortem examinations, DNA samples from 130 body parts have also been collected. She also stated that intensive care units (ICUs) have been prepared in various hospitals across Wayanad to cater to the medical needs of those rescued from disaster-affected areas. This includes Manjeri Medical College and Kozhikode Medical College, which are on standby for potential airlifts.
Concurrently, the Indian Army, during its rescue efforts in Wayanad, has successfully located four survivors, including two men and two women, earlier today.
According to the officials, these individuals were stranded in the Padavetti Kunnu area of Wayanad. The Army's statement highlighted that one of the rescued individuals, a female, was facing leg-related issues and received the necessary medical attention.
Earlier, the Indian Army's Engineer Task Force expeditiously erected a Bailey Bridge over the Iruvanipzha River at Chooralmala, significantly enhancing the pace of rescue operations in Wayanad.
To expedite the rescue efforts, ten specialized teams, equipped with all the requisite rescue equipment, including canine units and heavy machinery, have been established. These teams commenced their search operations early morning across six designated zones: Punchirimattom, Mundekkai, School area, Chooralmala town, Village area, and Downstream, ensuring a comprehensive and relentless search and rescue mission, as announced by the Southern Command of the Army on Friday.
Brigadier Arjun Segan, the Commandant of the Para Regimental Training Centre, expressed that the rescue operations are progressing rapidly, with the addition of sniffer dogs.
"Today marks the fourth day of these rescue operations. By around 6 pm last evening, we completed the construction of the Bailey Bridge, which facilitated the movement of vehicles uphill," he stated.
The Indian Air Force is currently operating a C-130 aircraft from Hindon Air Base, carrying specialized drone systems and a team of experts to Wayanad for the monitoring of sub-soil evacuations. These drone systems are designed to locate individuals trapped beneath the soil.
Search operations by the relief teams, in collaboration with dog squads, commenced at 7 am on Friday. This includes ten teams, each comprising 30 members, made up of Armed Forces personnel and police officers.
The rescue and relief efforts, coordinated by the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the civil administration, are in progress at various locations, ensuring the swift evacuation of stranded individuals and the provision of essential amenities and medical assistance.
The regional meteorological department has issued a yellow alert for five districts, including Wayanad in Kerala, due to the forecast of heavy rainfall. This alert has been issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod.
