Wayanad: The rescue teams took time to reach the site of the disaster, mainly because all the roads and bridges leading to Ground Zero were washed away. Though the landslide hit Meppadi at around 1 am on Tuesday, the rescue teams, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the NDRF, could make some headway only 10 hours later.
The Reason For The Delay
Rescue teams had to first establish connectivity to the rugged region even as there was no trace of over 40 village clusters. Moreover, the local rivers and rivulets had converted the area into slush and the boulders that had rolled down made it almost impossible for helicopters to land. Even as the rescue operations were on, another landslide struck the region. This further hampered rescue efforts. Moreover, the visibility was very poor due to the continuous downpour.
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In many areas, rescue teams were able to retrieve only body parts. By 5 pm it started getting dark, but the army was able to rescue over 150 tourists trapped in various resorts in the hilly region, in what many described as a daring operation. Local villagers, who knew the area well, risked their lives in saving many who were trapped. But by 6.30 pm, rescue efforts were further hit as the region got enveloped in thick clouds.
