State seeks Army help, 13 NDRF teams to join rescue op

Thiruvananthapuram: With incessant rains lashing the state, Kerala on Thursday remained on high alert, with all government departments working overtime to minimise damages the calamity might cause. A late-night review meeting chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to intensify rescue operation at Meppadi in Wayanad where landslide wreaked havoc.
“The government is evaluating the situation at Meppadi. Helicopters that can fly at night have been made ready and once rain subsides, they may be able to fly to affected regions,” he said after the meeting. A decision was taken to evacuate all people in vulnerable regions to safe zones. Already, 13,000 people have been moved to relief camp. All district collectors were told to move people away from areas prone to landslide and floods.
Earlier in the day, Vijayan directed all ministers to engage in rescue operations and leave for affected areas. Two IAS officers were deputed to assist district collectors in Wayanad and Idukki, the worst-hit districts. PRD director U V Jose would be going to Wayanad and director of general education, Jeevan Babu, to Idukki. The state also requested the services of armed forces. The service of military engineering task force has also been sought.
In worst-hit places, army has already deputed personnel for rescue operations. DSC Centre, Kannur, deployed two columns of army personnel, one to Virajpet in Kodagu, Karnataka, and another to Wayanad. Additionally, the state sought the services of 13 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Three teams have reached Wayanad, Malappuram and Idukki districts.
In the morning, Vijayan convened a meeting of all stakeholder-departments to review the state’s preparedness in carrying out rescue and relief operations. Vijayan instructed all departments concerned to initiate precautionary measures. Representatives of police, fire force, revenue and NDRF have been assigned to state emergency operations centre (SEOC) to handle emergency situations.
Additional teams from the fire and rescue force have been deployed to Wayanad and Malappuram districts where the rain had caused heavy damage.
Health minister KK Shailaja asked all health department officials to be alert and directed them to ensure adequate facilities and beds in hospitals. The minister asked her department officials to keep medical teams on standby for deployment to relief camps.
State police chief Loknath Behera asked all district police chiefs to be prepared for emergencies. Local police, members of armed police battalion have been asked to join efforts in saving those trapped in the flood and provide basic facilities for those being relocated. Police will also join fire and rescue teams in clearing uprooted trees and restoring communication networks.
PWD minister G Sudhakaran asked all chief engineers to suspend ongoing works of roads and bridges and resume them only after the rains. He instructed engineers to join disaster management officials and district administration in restoring damaged roads. He added that public must be given proper direction to avoid travelling through potentially dangerous roads. All major political parties have asked their cadres to actively engage in rescue operations.