THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rajamala, in Kerala’s Idukki district, was recently hit by a massive landslide, injuring hundreds, affecting livelihoods and destroying property in the area. Following the disaster, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) resumed rescue operations in the area on Monday, August 10, as the death toll due to the landslide rose to 43.
In a tweet, SN Pradhan, Director General, NDRF, said that teams are battling odds of rain, slush and terrain to rescue those affected by the landslide. Engaged in the rescue operations are two NDRF teams, a full unit of Idukki fire and rescue team, along with a team each from Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram led by a team which received special training. The District Information Officer said that 105 members of the Kerala Armed Police, 21 members of local police and 10 members of the Rapid Action Force, were also present on the spot of the landslide.
On Friday, August 7, Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala, had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to kin of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also expressed his condolences over deaths due to landslide and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs each from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the kin of deceased.