Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Minister Veena George on Tuesday said that 43 bodies have been retrieved following a series of massive landslides that struck the hilly areas in Meppadi in Wayanad in the early hours.
"We are trying every possible thing to rescue our people. We have received 24 bodies in different hospitals. Around 70 people are also injured. We have ensured proper treatment of the injured," Geroge told reporters here today.
She said that teams of NDRF and Civil Defence are present in Wayanad and a team of Navy will also be reaching there soon.
"A bridge in the area has also washed away," the minister said. The landslide has affected Meppadi, Mundakkal Town and Chooralmala areas and the state health minister said that the government has rushed rescue personnel, medical equipment and health workers to Vythiri, Mananthawadi, Kalpetta and Meppadi government hospitals.
A 250-member team comprising the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence, and NDRF are actively engaged in rescue operations and more NDRF teams were on their way to the disaster site.
Kerala Chief Minister's office said that a control room has been established to provide immediate relief and rescue assistance following the landslide at Chooralmala in Wayanad. (with Agency inputs)
