Thiruvananthapuram (Keralam) [India], July 7 (ANI): Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheeshan on Tuesday held an emergency meeting following the Wayanad landslide and directed Wayanad Minister T Siddique to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
The Chief Minister also instructed Revenue Minister AP Anil Kumar and Agriculture Minister T Siddique to immediately proceed to Wayanad and oversee the situation on the ground.
The Keralam State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said five people were injured after debris from the Wayanad-Kalladi tunnel construction site reportedly slid down due to heavy rainfall in the area. The injured have been admitted to a local hospital, and no casualties have been reported so far.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) unit stationed at Meenangadi has been directed to reach the accident site immediately. An NDRF team from Kozhikode has also been asked to move to Wayanad.
CM Satheeshan also spoke with the Wayanad District Collector over the phone to take stock of the situation.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in Wayanad & Kozhikode on Tuesday, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall in the districts of Keralam, while Kannur and Kasaragod are likely to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall.
According to the IMD’s district rainfall forecast, Malappuram is also expected to witness isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall, while Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad are likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall during the day.
The weather office said rainfall is very likely across all districts of Keralam over the next five days. However, the intensity is expected to gradually reduce from July 10, with most districts forecast to receive light to moderate rainfall through July 11.
The forecast indicates that districts in central Keralam, including Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam, may experience isolated heavy rainfall on July 8 before conditions improve later in the week.
The IMD has advised residents in the affected districts to remain alert as heavy rainfall may lead to waterlogging, reduced visibility and localised disruptions. (ANI)
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