Bhubaneswar, Jul 31: Two doctors from Odisha have gone missing following a devastating landslide in Kerala's Wayanad district late on Monday night. The missing doctors have been identified as Dr. Bishnu Prasad Chinara, a resident of Choudwar, and his colleague Dr. Swadhin Panda.
The Odisha government has stated via a tweet that it is in continuous contact with the local administration in Kerala, actively seeking updates on the status of the missing Odia doctors. Meanwhile, the wives of the missing doctors have been rescued and are currently receiving medical treatment at a temporary medical center.
The situation remains critical as the India Meteorological Department has forecasted more rain in Wayanad and surrounding districts over the next few days.
An alert has been issued for the districts of Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod. Additionally, an orange warning has been issued for the districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam, indicating potential heavy rainfall.
Rescue operations are intensifying as hundreds of people are feared trapped in the affected areas. The Indian Army has deployed approximately 300 personnel to Wayanad for search-and-rescue operations, with an additional 140 personnel on standby in Thiruvananthapuram, ready to assist if the situation worsens.
Naval teams and helicopters from the Indian Air Force have also been mobilized to support the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army efforts. The coordinated response aims to locate and rescue those still trapped and provide medical aid to the injured.
The death toll from the landslide has tragically risen to 143, with 186 others reported critically injured. The authorities are working around the clock to provide relief and assistance to the affected families and individuals in this challenging time.
