Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has pledged comprehensive efforts to rescue those trapped in the debris and provide relief following devastating landslides in the Wayanad district. Speaking at a press conference, Vijayan stated that five ministers are overseeing the ongoing operations. The initial landslide occurred at 2 am, followed by another at 4:10 am, which caused the Iruvazhanji River to split, exacerbating the situation.
The Chief Minister announced the opening of 42 relief camps in Wayanad, sheltering 3,200 people. Across Kerala, 118 camps have been set up, providing refuge to 5,300 individuals. Two helicopters from Sulur air base are on standby in Kozhikode but have been grounded due to adverse weather conditions. They will assist in rescue operations once conditions improve.
In addition to aerial support, ground forces, including the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have been mobilized. Special units such as Kerala's armed police battalions, rapid action forces, and drone teams are also on the scene. Police dogs trained in locating individuals under debris are aiding the efforts, alongside forensic doctors who are expediting postmortem examinations.
A control room has been set up at police headquarters to coordinate these efforts. The Kerala Water Authority is delivering over 20,000 liters of drinking water to Wayanad, and temporary hospitals and clinics have been established to provide immediate medical care to the affected.