Need maximum support from Centre, other state govts to address Wayanad tragedy: KC Venugopal

New Delhi [India], July 31 : Congress MP KC Venugopal said on Wednesday that there is a need for maximum support from the Central Government, State Government, and all other state governments to effectively address the tragedy in Wayanad.
Venugopal also stressed the need for both long-term and short-term strategies to prevent such calamities.
He added that he had given notice to the Speaker to call for an urgent discussion on the Wayanad landslide.
"There is no word to say about the Wayanad tragedy. So many bodies have been found and a lot of people are missing...We need to put maximum strength from the Central Government side, State Government side and all other State Governments who can help, then only the situation can be addressed...The nation is weeping. We need to have long-term and short-term strategies regarding how to stop these types of calamities. So, I have a notice to the Speaker for calling attention to have an urgent discussion on this. Governor has agreed, Speaker is giving time," Venugopal told ANI.
As per the Kerala Revenue Department, the death toll in Wayanad landslides has risen to 158.
Meanwhile, Search and rescue operations continue at landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad. At the moment, 1200 rescue workers from the Indian Army, DSC centre, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy and the IAF are deployed here.
The Commandant of the Para Regimental Training Centre, Brigadier Arjun Seagan, said that 500 to 600 personnel from the NDRF, army, state police, forest officials, and volunteers have been carrying out the rescue operations on Wednesday.
Earlier today, the Indian Army ramped up its rescue operations and successfully evacuated more than 1,000 people from affected areas to safety. The Army's Southern Command said that up to 1,000 personnel have been rescued so far using man-made bridges and human effort.
Despite adverse climatic conditions and poor visibility, Indian Air Force Helicopters also conducted search & rescue operations in Wayanad rescuing stranded people from a narrow strip of land.
At least two massive landslides struck Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday morning, causing widespread destruction. The first occurred in Mundakkai, a town, and the second in Chooralmala. The massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region, damaging houses and roads, uprooting trees, and swelling water bodies, which hindered rescue operations. Relief and rescue efforts are currently underway.
The first landslide occurred at 2 am on July 30, followed by another at 4:10 am, causing immense damage to homes and livelihoods. Many areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, have been isolated, and roads have been washed away. The Vellarmala GVH School was completely buried.