The Indian army rescued four stranded people, including two women, from Padavetti Kunnu after a precision operation, as the death toll crossed 300 mark on Friday morning.
The mission was carried out with caution to ensure the safety of all personnel and the well-being of the rescued. A casualty evacuation was carried out with an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to help with the rescue. The operation was quick and well-managed, ensuring the timely evacuation of those stranded.
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However, one of the rescued women was having trouble with her leg and received medical attention.
On Friday, the Wayanad District Collector said that GPS coordinates from aerial drone images and cell phones, including the last known locations of people from the landslides-hit areas, are being used to focus search and rescue efforts.
Wayanad Collector Meghashree D R told reporters that the worst-hit Mundakkai and Chooralmala hamlets have been divided into six zones. Forty rescue teams, along with cadaver dogs and heavy machinery, have been deployed to search for survivors and recover remains from the debris.
Also Read:Kerala landslides: 40 rescue teams initiate search operation in six landslide affected zones
She also mentioned that aerial drone photos and GPS coordinates have helped identify search locations. Additionally, cell phone data, including last known locations of residents, has been used to focus rescue efforts.
“We mapped all this data and gave it to all the teams so that the search and rescue operations can proceed efficiently and speedily,” the Collector said.
The 40 teams will work across six zones: Attamala and Aaranmala (first), Mundakkai (second), Punchirimattam (third), Vellarimala village (fourth), GVHSS Vellarimala (fifth), and the riverbank (sixth).