Kerala Landslide: Health Minister Veena George Evaluates Emergency Measures

Kerala Health Minister Veena George visited Wayanad to assess the aftermath of massive landslides. She evaluated hospital resources, temporary hospital needs, and control room operations. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also offered support. The Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force are aiding rescue efforts.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday visited the Health Department Directorate to assess the ongoing arrangements following massive landslides that struck Meppadi in Wayanad. The Kerala Health Minister outlined the situation and instructed for the precise tracking of available hospital beds in the affected areas.

Minister George recommended setting up temporary hospitals if necessary and emphasized the need to evaluate mortuary systems at existing hospitals, including the utilization of mobile mortuaries. She reviewed the operations of the 24/7 control room to assist health workers and the public. The minister also directed an assessment of the availability of Rapid Action Medical Units and 108 ambulances from other states to ensure they can reach remote hilly areas.

Additionally, she stressed the importance of evaluating relief camp operations and ensuring the availability of health worker services, highlighting the critical need for epidemic prevention measures. Senior Health Department officials attended the meeting. Kerala Minister AK Saseendran confirmed that 54 people have died so far in the Wayanad landslides.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assessed the situation in Wayanad, assuring all possible help from the centre. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also had a telephone conversation with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan regarding the landslides.

MK Stalin offered condolences to the deceased and assured all possible help. He ordered a rescue team headed by two IAS cadres to assist Kerala and released Rs 5 crores for relief measures. Tamil Nadu sent 20 fighters from the Fire Rescue department, 20 from the State Disaster Management Authority, and a medical team.

Earlier, CM Pinarayi Vijayan discussed the situation with top officials from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA). "Evaluated the ongoing relief and rescue operations at Chooralmala, Wayanad, following the severe landslide, in a visit to the Kerala SDMA office," said Vijayan.

An Indian Navy team from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur is being dispatched to assist in rescue operations at Chooralmala, hit by landslides on Tuesday morning. The deployment comes at the request of CM Pinarayi Vijayan, who sought the Navy's River Crossing team. The Army and Air Force have also been mobilized for rescue operations, which have been hampered by a collapsed bridge in Chooralmala.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Army Chief and directed the mobilization of forces for assistance and rescue in the landslide-affected area. Army teams have reportedly reached the ground. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)