Page 28 - Kerala

PM visits Wayanad's landslide-affected area, briefed about evacuation work

Following his site visits, the Prime Minister will chair a review meeting where he will be briefed in detail about the incident and the ongoing relief efforts

Over 1200 personnel of NDRF, Army deployed for relief operation in Wayanad

More than 100 ambulances, doctors, and other medical staff were deployed for medical support and treatment

Wayanad landslides: Fire Force, NDRF, volunteers continue search operations

Meanwhile, residents bid farewell to the Indian Army contingent including the Dog squad

PM Modi set to visit landslide-affected sites in Kerala's Wayanad on Aug 10

Earlier, a special team consisting of army personnel, SOG officials and forest officials have been conducting a search operation at Sunrise Valley in Soojippara, inside the forest

Wayanad landslides: Search, rescue operations continue for 10th day

Search operations in the landslides-hit areas of this north Kerala district continued for the 10th day with more cadaver dogs being pressed into service on Thursday to look for remains buried deep under the debris that cover the disaster sites. Using Air Force helicopters to drop special search teams to inaccessible areas along the Chaliyar river and deploying more rescuers, heavy machines and K9 dog squads in the segregated six zones of disaster-hit Chooralmala and Mundakkai continued. Till Wednesday, the number of persons suspected to be missing in the landslides was around 138 with more than 226 confirmed to be dead. Besides that, 192 body parts were also recovered from the disaster-hit areas and the Chaliyar river till August 7, according to figures provided by the Wayanad district administration. As the search operations progress, the state government is also working to ensure temporary rehabilitation of those affected by the landslides. A cabinet sub-committee, camped out at

Wayanad landslides: Death toll crosses 400-mark, over 150 still missing

Wayanad floods: The death toll from the Wayanad landslides crossed 400 on Wednesday, and around 152 people are still missing. Rescue operation is currently underway in the state

Wayanad landslides: Search ops in final stage, to focus on remote areas

As per the officials, a scanning mission focusing on the Chaliyar River will be conducted today by a special team on a helicopter

Kerala landslide: ICICI Prudential Life simplifies claim settlement process

ICICI Prudential Life on Monday said it has simplified the claim settlement process for nominees or beneficiaries of individuals affected by the Wayanad landslide tragedy. The processing of claims, including those covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), will be done based on just three basic documents which are required to be submitted by nominees to settle claims, the insurer said in a statement. These are bank account numbers with IFSC codes or cancelled cheque copies of the bank account, death certificate issued by the local municipal authorities. In case the death certificate is not available, the list of deceased issued by hospitals, government authorities or police will be accepted. Basic documents also include copy of valid KYC documents such as PAN card/ Form 60, recent photograph, any one of officially valid documents (Aadhaar card, passport, driving license, voter ID, NREGA Job card or letter issued by the National Population Register). "All ..

Kerala, Tamil Nadu see fewer hospital admissions under Ayushman Bharat

The lesser numbers in Telangana are due to the presence of the state's own health insurance scheme for the poor, 'Aarogyasri,' which later merged with AB-PMJAY only in 2021

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil calls Wayanad tragedy 'man-made', blames state govt

Gadgil-led Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel in 2011 recommended the entire Western Ghats be designated as an 'ecologically sensitive area' and ban the transfer of forest land for non-forest purposes

Wayanad disaster result of illegal human habitat expansion: Bhupender Yadav

The Kerala government allowed "illegal human habitat expansion and mining" in the state's fragile region which resulted in the devastating landslides in Wayanad district, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Monday. Yadav told PTI Video that the consultation with the states on the notification of eco-sensitive zone in the Western Ghats should be finalised soon. The environment ministry has issued six draft notifications, including one issued on July 31, since March 10, 2014, to declare over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats across six states as eco-sensitive but the final notification is pending amid objections from states. Yadav said an expert panel set up in April 2022 to find a breakthrough is in "constant touch with the states". "Since the ownership of forests is with the states, we had asked them to submit their objections and suggestions to the committee headed by former director general of forest Sanjay Kumar. There should be consultation with local

BJP cites UPA rule to reject national disaster status for Wayanad landslide

The BJP on Sunday responded to demands from various quarters, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, to declare the devastating Wayanad landslides a national disaster, saying that such a concept doesn't exist under Central government guidelines, a policy unchanged since the UPA government's tenure. Senior party leader V Muraleedharan posted on his Facebook page a 2013 Parliament document in which then Minister of State for Home, Mullappally Ramachandran, stated that "there is no provision to declare a natural disaster as a national disaster." "The concept of a 'national disaster' does not exist under the Central government's guidelines, a fact that has been the case since the UPA government's tenure. This was explicitly stated by the then Union Home Minister, Mullappally Ramachandran, in a response to a question in the Lok Sabha on August 6, 2013," said Muraleedharan, who is also a former Union Minister. "While there is no official designation of 'national disaster', each disaster

Thieves are looting abandoned homes in Wayanad: Landslide victims claim

Residents of landslide-devastated villages in Kerala's Wayanad district who were forced to flee their homes have reported thefts from their abandoned properties, prompting police to increase night patrols. The displaced residents suspect that thieves might be taking advantage of the state's biggest humanitarian crisis to steal valuables. Some of the affected people have urged the authorities to identify and punish those who enter the area at night with the intention of stealing. "We are the ones who have lost everything in the tragedy," an affected person told reporters. "We had abandoned our homes to ensure our safety during the landslide tragedy. But when we returned to check the state of our home after that, we found the doors broken open." He complained that thieves had even targeted their room in the resort where they are currently staying and stolen their clothes. In a statement on Saturday evening, the authorities said that police patrols had been launched in the disaster-

Compassion, solidarity are strengths that Wayanad needs righ now: Rahul

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday thanked the people and government of Karnataka for their support during difficult times in Wayanad and said their commitment to building 100 houses for the victims of landslides is a significant step towards rehabilitation efforts. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Saturday that his government will build 100 houses for victims of the landslide-hit district in Kerala. Taking to X, Siddaramaiah said in light of the tragic landslides in Wayanad, Karnataka stands in solidarity with Kerala. "I have assured CM Shri @pinarayivijayan of our support and announced that Karnataka will construct 100 houses for the victims. Together, we will rebuild and restore hope," he said. Sharing Siddaramaiah's post on X, Gandhi said, "I am deeply grateful to the people and the government of Karnataka for their generous support during these difficult times in Wayanad." "Your commitment to building 100 houses for the victims of

Kerala announces township in secure location for Wayanad landslide victims

The Kerala government on Saturday announced that a township will be established in a secure area to rehabilitate those displaced by the catastrophic landslide that occurred in the Mundakkai region of Wayanad district. During a press conference here, Vijayan said a comprehensive rehabilitation process is planned and will be implemented swiftly. Vijayan said various offers have come from the global community to provide land and construct houses. A 'Help for Wayanad' cell has been formed under Joint Land Revenue Commissioner A Geetha IAS to coordinate these offers. "The government plans a comprehensive rehabilitation process for the survivors, aiming for swift completion. A new, safer area will be identified for constructing a township. The Education Minister will visit Wayanad to ensure that children's education is not disrupted," Vijayan told the reporters here. Detailing the offers received, the CM said Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has informed that senior Congress leader Ra

FinMin tells insurers to expedite claims for Wayanad landslide victims

The finance ministry on Saturday asked public sector insurance companies including Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to speedily disburse the claim amount to landslide victims and their families in Wayanad and other districts of Kerala. The insurance companies have initiated efforts for reaching out to their policyholders through various channels (local newspapers, social media, company websites, sms, etc) to provide the contact details for assistance in the districts of Wayanad, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur, where a significant number of claims are being reported, the finance ministry said in a post on X. "In view of the unfortunate landslide incident and heavy rains in Kerala, the government has mandated the Public Sector Insurance companies (PSICs), including LIC, National Insurance Corporation, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance, and United India Insurance to extend all possible support to the victims of the calamity so that the insurance claims can

Actor Mohanlal reaches Wayanad, pledges Rs 3 cr for rehabilitation works

Well-known actor Mohanlal, who is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army, on Saturday reached landslide-hit Wayanad, donning his army uniform and pledged Rs three crore for the rehabilitation works of the disaster-hit region. The actor, who reached the Army camp at Meppadi, held a brief discussion with the officers and left for the landslide-hit zone along with others. He visited Chooralmala, Mundakkai and Punchirimattom, among other places, and interacted with the various rescue workers, including the Army and the locals, to get an understanding of the gravity of the incident. Speaking to the media, Mohanlal said the magnitude of the disaster can only be understood by witnessing it firsthand. "The magnitude of the landslide can only be comprehended by witnessing it firsthand. The Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the NDRF, the Fire and Rescue, the other organisations, locals etc who all are part of the rescue operations have done a wonderful job," he said. The acto

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal visits landslide-hit Wayanad in Army uniform

Mohanlal, who was conferred the Lt Colonel post in the territorial army in 2009, was spotted donning his army uniform as he reached the Army camp at Meppadi

Wayanad landslides: Search, rescue ops enter Day 5, death toll at 308

The death toll in the massive landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad stands at 308 as of Friday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said

Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden extend condolences over Wayanad landslides

As per the officials, 210 bodies and 134 body parts have been recovered till now which includes 96 males, 85 females and 29 children