New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram | The NDRF has deployed one team while three more are on the way to Kerala's Wayanad to undertake rescue and relief operations in the hilly district where landslides claimed at least 63 lives on Tuesday, officials said.
These floodwater and landslide rescue teams are armed with various tools, pole and wire cutting machines, inflatable boats and basic medicines, they said.
One team is already working in the area while one each is being rushed in from Kerala, Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (Operations) Mohsen Shahedi said the teams will be assisting the state government authorities and other agencies deployed for rescue work in Wayanad.
Officials said the NDRF teams comprise about 30 personnel each. The first NDRF team has recovered 21 bodies, rescued one person and evacuated 74 people from the affected area, they said.
Heavy rains triggered the massive landslides in the hilly areas of Wayanad district. Hundreds are feared feared trapped under the debris.
Apart from the NDRF, teams of Kerala fire force, police, forest department, revenue, Army and local self-government departments are involved in the rescue operations
Ministers Rajan, P A Mohammed Riyas and O Kelu are expected to reach Wayanad soon. Minister A K Saseendran has already reached the place and is visiting the injured. Another state Minister, Ramachandran Kadannappally has also reached the place.
Police and the Health department have started multiple call centres and control rooms.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level evaluation meeting and visited the State Disaster Management Authority office in the state capital to assess the situation.
Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were among the areas affected and cut off by the landslides, authorities said.
Wayanad district Collector Meghasree D R said disaster relief work is progressing in affected areas and rescue operations are being carried out by the NDRF, Fire force, police and the Forest, Revenue and Local Self-government departments.
Along with government agencies, volunteers and local residents are cooperating in the rescue operation, she said in a statement.
According to district authorities, several families have been moved to the various camps or homes of their relatives in the wake of the landslides.