The death toll in the devastating landslides in Kerala's Wayanad has reached 413, with 152 people still missing even as the rescue operations entered the ninth day.
The over 1,000-strong rescue team comprising personnel from the Defence forces, NDRF, SDRF, police, fire services and volunteers began searches early on Wednesday morning in the four worst-affected areas in Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Punchirimadom.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the search operations will continue till the defence forces take the call.
The present search operations are now taking place in areas where people lived and remained marooned soon after the worst-ever natural disaster took place in the history of Kerala on July 30.
The worst thing that has dawned after the tragedy struck the four villages in the Wayanad district, CM Vijayan on Tuesday pointed out was that 76 bodies and numerous body parts were recovered in and around Nilambur located in Malappuram district from the Chaliyar River, which originates in Wayanad district.
On Wednesday also a team of rescue officials was searching the Chaliyar River.
There are over 100 relief camps mostly set up in various educational institutions in and around the affected areas, where over 10,300 people are presently housed.
Until a few days back, there was no blame game as all focus was on rescue, relief and rehabilitation. But, now a war of words has broken out targeting CM Vijayan. Union Minister for Environment Bhupender Yadav termed it a man-made disaster. The Congress-led opposition has demanded that the money that has started pouring into the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund should be properly utilised, unlike in 2018.
The country’s longest-serving Defence Minister and Congress veteran A.K. Antony gave a clarion call to concentrate on rehabilitation works and not engage in scoring political brownie points in the aftermath of the disaster.
23 injured in two separate road accidents in Tripura
At least 10 students and a woman suffered breathing problems and six of them immediately shifted to the government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital and their condition stated to be not serious.
Abhinaba Banik to represent Tripura in National Youth festival 2025 as state youth icon student-scientist
The Directorate of Youth Affairs & Sports of Tripura government has nominated Abhinaba Banik to represent the state as State Youth Icon Student-Scientist at the National Youth Festival.
Odisha's strategic position under PM Modi's 'Act East Policy' to take centre stage at PBD event
There is no denying the fact that under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s connection with its global diaspora has strengthened significantly over the last decade. A number of initiatives have been launched for the welfare of Indian nationals living abroad.
India well prepared to handle HMPV, surveillance shows no unusual surge: Centre
India is well-prepared to handle respiratory illnesses and surveillance shows no unusual surge in the country, according to the government, as reports surface about rising cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China in the past few weeks.
PM Modi guarantees continuation of free welfare schemes in Delhi
No existing public welfare scheme in Delhi will be withdrawn after BJP comes to power in Delhi, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, virtually guaranteeing the continuation of free water, power and bus travel for women offered by the current AAP government.
Three killed as Coast Guard chopper crashes in Gujarat's Porbandar
An Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) crashed in Gujarat's Porbandar on Sunday, killing all three crew members on board, a top police official confirmed.
AAPda govt lacks vision to drive Delhi's development: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp critique of the AAP government in Delhi, calling it an "AAPda government" that lacks vision for the city's progress.