Central Disaster Experts Assess Landslide Damage in Vilangad

A team of disaster management experts visited Vilangad in Kozhikode, Kerala, to assess landslide damage. The team, comprising CBRI scientists and state officials, toured the worst-hit areas. Rehabilitation efforts will be undertaken for affected victims following the Chief Minister's decision. Over 200 people died in the simultaneous Wayanad landslides.

A study team of Central disaster management experts has visited the landslide-hit areas of Vilangad in northern Kozhikode district of Kerala to assess the destruction.

The high range hamlet of Vilangad witnessed widespread damage on July 30, the same day catastrophic landslides hit neighboring Wayanad.

The expert team, including R Pradeep Kumar, director of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee, CBRI scientists D P Kanungo, Ajay Chourasia, and State Disaster Management Authority member secretary Sekhar Kuriakose, toured the affected areas in Vilangad on Saturday, according to district authorities.

They visited severely affected locations such as Vayad, Panniyeri, Malayangadu, and Vilangad town. Panchayat and revenue officials accompanied the Central team during the visit.

An official statement revealed that an all-party meeting led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to initiate rehabilitation for the landslide victims in Vilangad and Wayanad.

The landslides caused significant casualties in Wayanad’s Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas, claiming over 200 lives on July 30.

(With inputs from agencies.)