Massive landslides in Wayanad, Kerala kill 8 amid heavy rain
Wayanad: At least eight people, including three children, have been confirmed dead following massive landslides in Wayanad district early Tuesday morning. The first landslide occurred around 2 a.m., followed by another at approximately 4:10 a.m. The affected areas are near Meppadi.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local fireforce units, and additional teams are currently engaged in rescue operations, which have been severely impeded by ongoing heavy rains. Two Air Force helicopters, an Mi-17 and an ALH, are also being deployed to assist with the efforts.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has assured that all possible measures are being taken to coordinate rescue operations, with ministers set to visit the region. A control room has been established, and helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 have been issued for emergency assistance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakhs for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. He has also expressed his condolences and assured support from the central government.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who is also a former MP of Wayanad expressed his condolences and is coordinating with authorities to ensure effective relief efforts. He has urged UDF workers to assist in the rescue operations.
I am deeply anguished by the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 30, 2024
I have spoken to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad…
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for northern Kerala, including Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram, warning of heavy rains and advising caution for locals and tourists.
Rescue operations continue as the region grapples with severe weather conditions and the aftermath of the landslides.
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Kejriwal responds to EC, says water received from Haryana 'extremely poisonous' for human health
New Delhi (PTI): AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday responded to the Election Commission notice over his claim the Haryana government was "mixing poison" in Yamuna, and said raw water received from the BJP-ruled state in the recent past has been "highly contaminated and extremely poisonous" for human health.
In the 14-page reply to the Election Commission, the former Delhi chief minister said if such "toxic water" is allowed to be consumed by human population it would lead to grave health hazard and fatality.
Kejriwal said he only wanted to highlight the "urgent public health crisis" due to the quality of drinking water in the city, and he violated no law or Model Code of Conduct, hence the issue should be closed.
He said the "alleged statements" attributed to him were made as it was his public duty to red flag the "severe toxicity and contamination" of raw water received from the BJP-ruled state.
Following a complaint filed by the BJP over the matter, the Election Commission issued the notice to Kejriwal on Tuesday, giving him time till Wednesday 8 pm to furnish his reply.
Kejriwal also said the ammonia level in raw water received from Haryana was so "extreme" that water treatment plants in Delhi are unable to process and bring it down to safe and permissible limits for human consumption.
Following their party chief's response, the AAP issued a statement, saying, "It is an undisputed fact that there is 7 ppm ammonia in Yamuna water, A Delhi Jal Board CEO letter admits toxicity is 700 percent higher than the permissible limit."
In his response to the EC, Kejriwal also alleged that Haryana's "failure" in controlling pollution in Yamuna has resulted in an "unprecedented public health crisis" in Delhi. He alleged "indiscriminate" discharge of industrial waste in the river by the state.
The AAP supremo said Haryana is an upper-riparian state and Delhi, ruled by his party, has no role to play in the high level of toxic water being made available to the city.
"Due to such high level of toxic content in the raw water supplied by Haryana, the water treatment plants in Delhi are operating below capacity and there is a shortage of treated water in Delhi," he claimed.
Saying that access to clean water is a basic human right, the AAP chief asserted that raising this critical issue cannot be considered an offence.
"The said statement by no stretch of the imagination can be termed inciting enmity between different groups or prejudicial to national integration," he said.
On the contrary, the substance and purpose of these statements are rooted solely in the public interest, aimed at highlighting a legitimate civic concern that requires urgent institutional intervention, he asserted.
He requested the EC to intervene in the matter and issue appropriate directions to Haryana so safe water is made available to the people of Delhi.
