Thiruvananthapuram, July 31 (IANS) In the wake of the Wayanad landslide tragedy, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that contributions to the CM’s Disaster Relief Fund are welcome and all those who can help should do so for a noble cause.

He said among those who have already contributed include Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, Lulu Group Chairman M.K. Yusuf Ali, Dubai-based businessman Ravi Pillai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Tamil actor Vikram, and the Dalai Lama Trust.

“All the Kerala ministers have agreed to contribute their one month’s salary. I call upon all those who can, to contribute,” Vijayan added.

Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, in an X post, said: “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Wayanad. My heart goes out to the affected families. The Adani Group stands in solidarity with Kerala during this difficult time. We humbly extend our support with a contribution of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.”

The death toll has now reached 205 while around 200 people are currently reported missing. Around 7,000 people have been evacuated safely in around 50 relief camps.

Meanwhile, hundreds of defence personnel and from several other agencies are engaged in rescue and relief operations in the four worst affected landslide areas of Wayanad district — Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu.

The death toll is set to rise further as more bodies trapped under debris are being recovered.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) As many as 10 flights headed to Delhi were diverted after heavy rain lashed Delhi-NCR on Wednesday evening, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a ‘red alert’ in the national capital for the next 24 hours.

The incessant rain led to waterlogging in several parts of Delhi -NCR, as traffic came to a standstill in many areas.

The IMD said that clouds have converged over the national capital from all four sectors, as it issued an advisory urging Delhi residents to avoid going out if not necessary.

“Clouds have converged over Delhi from all 4 sectors. Widespread Light/Moderate Rainfall with isolated Intense to very intense Spell (3-5cm/hr) likely over Delhi during next 2 hours,” the weather office said in a post on X on Wednesday evening.

The IMD has also forecast that rainy conditions will continue in the national capital till August 5.

As per the IMD, Mayur Vihar in East Delhi recorded 119 mm of rain between 8.30 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday, while 118 mm of rain was recorded by the National Centre For Medium Range Weather Forecasting in Noida.

Many airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and SpiceJet, have issued advisories about flights getting diverted and asking passengers to leave for airports early and keep checking the status of their flights.

In a post on X, IndiGo said, “The rain gods have decided to shower #Delhi with their blessings tonight. As a result, we’re expecting heavy rainfall throughout the night. Check your flight status.”

Meanwhile, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has directed all the concerned officials to remain on alert and address issues in the waterlogging-prone areas, including areas where coaching centres are located.

“Have cautioned all officers to remain alert in light of the ongoing heavy downpour in Delhi. Apart from ensuring minimum inconvenience to people in general, they are advised to specifically address issues at sites prone to waterlogging, including coaching centres,” the L-G said in a post on X.

–IANS

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Amaravati, July 31 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh’s opposition YSR Congress Party has found fault with the reported decision of the new National Democratic Alliance government in the state to present a vote on account, claiming that not presenting a full budget shows that it is unable to implement its poll promises.

YSRCP leader and former Finance Minister B. Rajendranath Reddy said that it is baffling to note that the new government is unable to place the full budget for the financial year 2024-25 and wants to place only another vote on account budget.

This is contrary to the tradition of the new government placing a budget for the full year, he said, asking why the new government was resorting to passing a vote on account.

Reddy said this could be because the new government is unable to demonstrate the availability of receipts to justify the implementation of its ‘Super Six’ programmes and the tall impractical commitment made by the alliance. He asked if the coalition government is unable to provide an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month, give three gas cylinders free of cost to every household, and implement free bus travel for women.

He also wanted to know if the government was conveniently ignoring its commitment of providing Rs 15,000 per annum to each child going to school under the Talliki Vandanam programme, unable to find means to reduce the pension entitlement age to 50 for every beneficiary belonging to SC, BC and Minority communities.

“Is the new government finding ways to hoodwink farmers again by going back on the commitment of providing a financial incentive of Rs 20,000? Is it failing on its commitment of providing a financial incentive of Rs 18,000 per annum to every woman who is above the age of 18 years,” Reddy asked.

The YSRCP leader said that the government may also be finding it difficult to substantiate the claims that the debt during the YSRCP government had risen to astronomical levels.

Before the elections, the TDP and alliance members have continuously alleged that the debt burden on Andhra Pradesh has risen to Rs 14 lakh crore. While placing the budget for the full year, the government has to lay before the house, statements providing the details of the debt, both government and of corporations guaranteed by the government, as part of it. This, by no stretch of imagination, would reach Rs 14 lakh crores, Reddy said.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) A C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) carrying another set of 110-feet Bailey Bridge has landed in Kerala to assist those involved in the rescue work post the landslide in Wayanad, an official said on Wednesday.

Army officials said the C-17 aircraft carrying another set of 110 feet Bailey Bridge along with three Search and Rescue Dog Teams had also landed at Kannur for further employment.

On the request of the Kerala government, the Army’s Engineer Task Force from Madras Engineer Group and Centre (MEG & Centre) with a strength of 123 personnel along with a set of 150 feet Bailey Bridge, three JCBs and other support equipment has been inducted into the affected area.

“Construction of a bridge on the Meepadi-Choormala Road is under progress including induction of certain earth moving equipment to the other side of the stream utilising air effort. Construction of a foot bridge was completed overnight on July 30-31. Additional resource requirements are being assessed based on the aerial and ground reconnaissance and needs of the civil administration,” a statement read.

The statement said that around 1,000 people have been rescued by the Indian Army, provided medical aid and evacuated to safer places in Wayanad. Bodies of around 86 deceased personnel have also been recovered. The troops are conducting rescue operations along the 6-km stretch of landslide affected areas.

Six Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) columns comprising a strength of around 500 personnel including medical staff, along with bridging equipment and rescue dogs have been deployed here. The Army has also set up a “Command and Control Centre” headed by Major Gen VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, along with Brig Arjun Segan at Kozhikode to coordinate HADR’s efforts.

On the second day of the Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operation, the Indian Army has intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after multiple devastating landslides struck Wayanad in Kerala on July 30.

Brig Segan carried out reconnaissance of the affected areas in the early hours on Wednesday and guided the Army columns for further conduct of the rescue operation.

The troops forming part of the HADR column were mobilised from Kannur, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram.

NDRF and other agencies have also been assisting in the rescue work.

According to the army, two additional HADR columns including two medical teams having a strength of 135 personnel were airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram to Kozhikode by AN-32 and C-130 aircraft, to further augment the rescue and relief operations.

“The Indian Army remains steadfast to assist the stranded citizens and is working relentlessly to ensure safety of one and all. The Army is committed to supporting the state of Kerala during this challenging time. The rescue teams are working tirelessly to provide relief and rescue operations in the affected areas,” the official added.

–IANS

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Wayanad (Kerala), July 31 (IANS) Rescue and relief operations continued on a war footing at the landslide-devastated areas of four villages in Kerala’s Wayanad on Wednesday, with 94 more bodies recovered, taking the death toll to 245, in one of the worst disasters to hit the state, with 240 other people still missing, even as a war of words broke out between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over prior warning of the disaster.

A massive rescue operation involving 1,200 officials from various defence, police, and fire service personnel, besides local volunteers, is currently on at the four worst-affected landslide areas of Wayanad — Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu, which caught thousands of people unawares when two landslides took place early on Tuesday.

In some areas, there were practically no signs of any houses and a wave of sorrow swept the survivors.

The APJ Community Hall at Meppadi was one place where only the cries and wails of young and old are heard as it is here that numerous bodies have been kept for people to come and identify.

Prashob, a young man spotted in the hall, was shattered. “I have now identified two of my uncles among the bodies that have been placed here. But I have no clue about seven of my other close relatives. I am in touch with people at other centres where bodies are placed and they are sending me pictures, but I am yet to identify any of my other missing relatives,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George who was on her way to the landslide-affected areas in Wayanad met with an accident and is presently being treated at the state-run Manjeri Medical College hospital. Her car hit a two-wheeler and then came to a stop after hitting an electric post and George suffered minor injuries on her head and hand.

On the other hand, a war of words began after Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha that the Centre had alerted the Kerala government on July 23, warning of possible danger in and around Wayanad. “Everyone is questioning the government, but I would like to ask what did the Kerala government do. It was a vulnerable situation, but why the people were not shifted to safer places? They were only shifted after the disaster,” he said.

CM Vijayan refuted the claim but sought to play down the issue, saying it was no time for a blame game.

Speaking to the media here, Vijayan stressed that the need of the hour is not to engage in a blame game, while terming parts of what the Union Home Minister said as true and parts as untrue.

“I do not wish to engage in a blame game now as the people in Wayanad are going through untold misery on account of the massive landslide, but the fact of the matter is that there were predictions that came out and they never mentioned a red alert in the affected area. In fact, the red alert came on Tuesday at 6 a.m., when the tragedy occurred several hours before,” he said.

“The IMD had predicted rains to the tune of 115 mm to 204 mm rains at the affected areas, but actually in the first 24 hours, there was 200 mm and in the next 24 hours, 372 mm rains came down making it a staggering 572 mm in 48 hours, much more than predicted. So with these being the facts, I wish to state, that this is not the time for wrangling,” he added.

The Chief Minister also said that there was no prediction of landslides from the Geological Survey of India and when these came, the tragedy had already taken place. “Then there was an alert from the Central Water Commission and it said that from July 23 to 29, not for one single day … of the two rivers which got swollen, there was no mention at all. What was said in the Parliament is not true,” he said, adding that there was a mention that the NDRF was sent early, “but the fact is we asked for it”.

“The need of the hour is climate change disasters have to be dealt with seriously and let us not engage in a blame game… people are in tragedy, let us soothe them,” he said.

“These areas, for all practical purposes, have been completely destroyed. The rescue teams have so far rescued 1,592 people and now there are 8,017 people in 82 relief camps. 201 people were treated in hospitals and now there are 90 under treatment. The rescue efforts are continuing and tribal families are being moved… for those not willing to move, food will be given. Medical facilities are being extended in a big way, with medical professionals from the private and cooperative sectors having joined the state government health officials,” he said.

Meanwhile, the IMD has bad news as it sounded a red alert in Wayanad where rains have intensified, affecting the rescue operations. Bailey bridges are being set up by the army in the area, and another 110-feet bridge has been flown from New Delhi to Kannur, on its way to the affected areas.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who is the former MP from Wayanad, and his sister and Congress candidate from the area, Priyanka Gandhi, will be arriving in the affected area. Vijayan is also arriving and will hold an all-party meeting to discuss the rehabilitation plans that will be charted out for the ravaged four villages.

–IANS

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