Indian Air Force and Army Join Forces for Rescue in Wayanad Landslide
The Indian Air Force has deployed two helicopters, a Mi-17 and an ALH Dhruv, for rescue operations in Wayanad, Kerala. These choppers were sent from the Sulur air base in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The army has also deployed 200 soldiers from the Defence Security Corps and a team of Navy personnel from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur to assist in the rescue efforts.
Two teams from the Kannur Army Cantonment, comprising around 200 Indian Army personnel, have been dispatched to the disaster-hit district. The 122 TA Battalion reached Wayanad post noon and joined the rescue and relief operation. A team of 30 specialist swimmers from the Indian Navy has also been deployed.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Army chief and asked him to mobilize forces for assistance and rescue in the landslide-hit areas. The Kerala government requested the Indian Army to deploy its Dog Squad for rescue operations, and the Dog Squad from Meerut Remount Veterinary Corps Centre will be arriving to assist in search efforts. Additionally, a Forest Department drone is assisting in the search efforts.
The Indian Army launched two relief columns from the Defence Security Corps Centre in Kannur to rescue approximately 250 individuals likely stranded in a major landslide in Vyithiri Taluk, Wayanad. These columns include medical detachments from Military Hospital Kannur and infantry troops from the Territorial Army, equipped with advanced rescue gear.
Teams from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) are also engaged in the rescue operations. According to the office of the State Revenue Minister K Rajan, at least 63 people are dead and 116 are injured due to the landslides. The Meppadi, Mundakkai Town, and Chooralmala areas have suffered significant destruction. Temporary hospital facilities will be established at a mosque and madrasa in Chooralmala to aid in the ongoing relief efforts.
Doubts Revealed
Indian Air Force -: The Indian Air Force is a part of India’s military that uses airplanes and helicopters to protect the country and help in emergencies.
Army -: The Army is a part of the military that fights on land and helps people during disasters like floods and landslides.
Wayanad -: Wayanad is a district in the state of Kerala, India, known for its hills and forests.
Landslide -: A landslide happens when a lot of earth, rocks, and mud slide down a hill or mountain, often caused by heavy rain.
Defence Security Corps -: The Defence Security Corps is a group of soldiers in India who protect important places and help in emergencies.
Navy personnel -: Navy personnel are people who work in the Navy, which is the part of the military that operates on the sea.
Specialist swimmers -: Specialist swimmers are people trained to swim in difficult conditions to rescue others.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh -: Rajnath Singh is a leader in the Indian government who is in charge of the country’s military forces.
Dog Squad -: A Dog Squad is a group of trained dogs and their handlers who help in search and rescue operations.
Forest Department drone -: A Forest Department drone is a flying machine used by the Forest Department to look at areas from the sky, especially useful in finding people in hard-to-reach places.
