Union Minister George Kurien calls on PM Modi, apprises him of rescue operations undertaken in landslide-hit Wayanad

New Delhi [India], August 4 : Union Minister George Kurien called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday and apprised him of the remarkable relief and rescue operations undertaken by central forces/agencies in landslide-hit Wayanad, Kerala.
The landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad have resulted in the loss of 308 lives.
Earlier, PM Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased in multiple landslides that hit Kerala's Wayanad, following torrential rains.
"The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad," PM's office said in a statement. The PM also said that the injured would be given Rs 50,000.
The search and rescue operations in Kerala's Wayanad have entered its sixth day on Sunday, as several people are still feared trapped in the debris after landslides that occurred in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad.
Providing details about the rescue operation, Wayanad District Collector Meghashree told ANI, that the rescue operation is in full swing, and over 1300 forces have been deployed for today's operation.
"Rescue operation is going on in full swing. Today, 1,300+ forces are deployed...volunteers are also there...yesterday volunteers who went for the rescue operation got stranded there, today we are taking precautions so that it doesn't happen," Wayanad District Collector told ANI.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Chief Minister's Office has informed that night patrolling of the police has been instituted in Chooralmala and Mundakkai areas where landslides occurred.
Action will be taken against those trespassing in the houses or areas of the victims at night, the statement from CM's office said. No one should enter the houses or areas of these places at night without the permission of the police for the purpose of rescue operations, it added.
On Saturday, the Indian Air Force airlifted one ZAWER and four REECO radars from Siachen and Delhi to fasten the search operations in the landslide-affected areas of Wayanad.
On the same day, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Army, and Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully rescued three personnel stranded at Soochipara Waterfalls, located in the landslide-hit Wayanad district of Kerala.
As per the latest update, 215 bodies and 143 body parts were recovered, including 98 males, 87 females, and 30 children.
The post-mortem procedures were completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts, and 148 bodies have been identified by relatives so far.