As Kerala mourns the devastating landslides in Wayanad, the death toll in the tragic incident has crossed over 300. According to the Times of India, officials taking part in the rescue mission have said that the death toll is now exceeding 316. They also expressed fear that it could climb higher as more than 220 people remain missing.
The rescue operations which were scheduled to halt at 4 pm were prematurely suspended on Thursday, due to heavy rainfall in the region. While additional machinery was brought in Chaliyar for the search mission, the authorities deployed 15 earthmoving machines in Mundakki, Manorama reported.
Baily Bridge to remain in place
Meanwhile, the Bailey Bridge was constructed by the Army to help with the search mission and will remain in place until a permanent bridge is built.
Throughout the rescue mission, the bridge helped to transport equipment required for rescue operations. The temporary bridge connects Chooralmala and Mundakkai.
Kerala CM, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi visit Wayanad
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid a visit to Wayanad to assess the situation. After his visit, the Kerala CM conducted a review meeting and an all-party discussion at the Collectorate. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi toured the disaster-stricken areas.
During their visit on Thursday, the Gandhi siblings met the families of the victims affected by the landslides. The former Wayanad MP visited a relief camp at Meppadi Govt Higher Secondary School.
While narrating his emotional experience while visiting the site, Rahul Gandhi told reporters “I feel how I felt when my father (ex-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, assassinated in May 1991) died”.
“I remember what I felt when my father died. But here people have not just lost a father… they have lost families… brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. I know what I felt (when his father was killed) and this is much worse than that. It is not one person suffering but thousands,” he added.
With inputs from agencies.
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Wayanad landslides: Death toll crosses 300 as search mission for 220 remaining enters day 4
